Long served reserve police officer dumped by SAPS

Ga-Masemola

Ex-reserve police officer who worked at Masemola community police station for 13 years claims the station unfairly robbed her experience by removing her names on database without her consent.

The complainant served at Masemola satellite which operated under Nebo police station before the station moved and officially unveiled by former police minister Nathi Mthethwa in 2011.

As a reservist she was mentored and supervised by station commanders and she attended training as well.

Despite served under four station commanders since 2007 she was forcefully removed back in 2019, station cited she was no longer active.

However, former reservist, Germinah Ramushu, said she didn’t have mentor since her mentor left the station.

Mother of two deems she was manipulated and betrayed by local station she served with pride.

Germinah used to wear uniformed in the same way as regular law enforcement officers but she was not allowed to carry weapons or make arrests.

She said her duties were only afford her to do community relations, office work and traffic control.

Asked why she stayed for long time without being considered Germinah said she was hoping that one day she would be recruited.

“If not mistaken, it was around April last year when two familiar men knocked at my house during the day. They handed over documents written my names and ordered and forced me to sign them.

“I did sign and they took my uniform as well. They harshly instructed me to reapply if want to be a reserve again,” explained unhappy woman.

She, however said whenever vacancies arrives she was overlooked.

“I became part of that station some years ago and that it was how they thanked me. I felt used because they achieved their target, missions and intensions but now they withdrew and dump me,” said long served revisits.

Married woman felt the station wasted her time and as a result she want the department to review their decision and hire her.

Germinah also highlighted some of the risk she encountered while serving at the station she said she survived attempts robbery.

“I survived attempted robbery by culprits and reported the matter to my senior but I was told to install burglar. I almost risked my life but this is how they reward me,” she said. 

The office of the provincial Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba said they understood the complainant but argued that she signed undertaking forms back in 2007 which state that she would volunteer and don’t expect any employment.

But according to the legislative and policy frameworks, Act 68 of 1995, section 48 provides the national commissioner with powers to determine the requirements for the recruitment and resigning amongst others.