The number of police reservists declined significantly since the 2011/2012 financial year when there were just over 52 thousand volunteers assisting the SA Police Service.
This is according to a statement by DA MP Andrew Whitefield who says this number has dwindled to just 3 502 currently.
He said the police minister Bheki Cele had missed an opportunity for more boots on the ground through a proactive recruitment process.
This information is derived from a set of questions Whitefield sent to the minister of police Bheki Cele. One of the questions was what the reason was for the decline in reservists.
In his response, Cele said that reservists were volunteers and could decide to terminate their services at any time.
He also mentioned that many reservists joined when they were unemployed and resigned when they secured permanent employment.
"During the transitional phase, which took place from 2014, many reservists were found to be inactive but still reflected in the system."
Whitfield says the collapse of the police reservist programme is a big blow in the fight against crime.
"The collapse of the reservist programme is a devastating blow to the fight against crime as reservists have played a critical force multiplier role in supporting SAPS as it has faced declining numbers of personnel," he said.
Whitfield said that all hands on deck were needed to fight crime and the police should be pursuing an urgent recruitment drive to bolster their ranks with hard-working reservists, committed to supporting and strengthening the South African Police Service.
"It is time for the SAPS to be led by a serious and skilled Minister, who can implement the urgent changes needed to get the SAPS working. If the Minister is incapable of doing so, then it is high time that the President fire him from his cabinet, and appoint someone who is competent and fit for purpose", he said.
