The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) said it is elated that 15 police trainees who were excluded for having visible tattoos and other human resource-related matters from the Bhisho Training College, in King Williams Town, have been reinstated at the college.
The union said the reinstatement follows its engagements with the South African Police Service (SAPS) on the unfair removal of the trainees from the Bhisho Training College.
“After robust interventions and consistent engagements at national level, we are proud to announce that the affected members have been reinstated and recalled to the Introductory Police Development Learning Programme at the SAPS Academy in Bhisho, running from 29 September 2025 to 12 December 2025.
This development is a direct result of POPCRU’s unwavering commitment to defending the rights of our members against unjust practices.
It is also a clear demonstration that when we stand united, we can achieve victories that protect both the dignity and the future of workers within the criminal justice cluster,” said POPCRU spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo.
During a parliamentary reply in 2022, former Police Minister Bheki Cele, was quoted saying that the SAPS recruitment policy stipulates that “a candidate can have tattoos, but they cannot be visible while in uniform, and they cannot be nature of that is irreconcilable with the objectives of the service.
He stressed that tattoos depicting gangsters, racism, homophobia, and violence, amongst others, will not be tolerated in the sector.
The union said while it respects the SAPS position on visible tattoos in uniform, “it is important to emphasise that no member should face arbitrary exclusion or discrimination on this basis.”
Furthermore, the union said it’ll continue engaging with SAPS to ensure fair and progressive policies that reflect the values of inclusivity, transformation, and respect for diversity.
“We salute the 15 members who will now rejoin their training and urge them to continue with dedication as they embark on their careers.
Their reinstatement is not only their victory, but a victory for all workers in uniform who look to their union for protection and advocacy.
This outcome reaffirms POPCRU’s historic mission, to be the shield of our members and to fight for justice in the workplace and beyond,” remarked
