DA wants probe into cops sick leave abuse

DA wants probe into cops sick leave abuse
2012-02-15 22:40

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Cape Town -The DA will ask the public service commission (PSC) to do a full investigation into the widespread abuse of sick leave by police officers, MP Dianne Kohler Barnard said on Wednesday.

She said "serial absenteeism" by police officers who abused their basic right to sick leave was undermining efforts to combat and prevent crime.

"Not only that, but it is a slap in the face to the many brave and hard-working police officers who put their lives on the line to keep South Africans safe," she said.

Kohler Barnard said that in terms of section 196 of the Constitution, the PSC had the power to investigate the personnel practices of the public service and propose measures to ensure effective and efficient performance.

She said it was becoming increasingly evident that the police management had neither the ability nor the will to effectively deal with the abuse of sick leave.

"An impartial and independent body like the PSC should therefore intervene to ensure that the basic values and principles governing public administration and service as outlined in our Constitution are complied with in the SAPS."

Kohler Barnard said the abuse of sick leave had been identified as the number one risk to the SA Police Service.

The worst police stations included Maitland in the Western Cape, where 85 staff took 6 579 sick days in one year at an average of 77.2 days each, and Hilton in KwaZulu-Natal, where 39 staff took 1 337 sick days at an average of 34.73.

- SAPA

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