Mhlaba Memela

Mhlaba Memela

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Police Union pledged to assist authorities in attracting whites, coloureds and Indians to the force.

Authorities have launched a recruitment drive to attract the three racial groups after their figures dwindled over the past 10 years.

Popcru spokesperson Benzi Ka-Soko said they welcomed the initiative since they were worried about the racial breakdown of the SAPS.

"We are disappointed by the current situation. As a result, efforts to promote the SAPS as an equal opportunity employer will be supported," he said.

"We want all government departments to reflect the demographics of the country.

"We really want to see more people from minority groups joining the force.

"It's important for all minority groups to understand that South Africa belongs to everyone living in it."

Ka-Soko said Popcru would soon engage human rights groups and other organisations to help attract people from minority groups to the service.

He said his organisation would soon introduce a "new mind-set" to the different population groups in a bid to attract recruits.

Ka-Soko said they will also meet the South African Institute of Race Relations and the Human Sciences Research Council to help devise a strategy to deal with the situation.