Recently there have been various media reports regarding the existence of specialised gang units in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Free State.
The National Commissioner or the Provincial Commissioner has the authority, in response to an emerging crime pattern, to establish a specialised unit to deal with the issue.
Currently, the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) has the following specialised units:
Stock Theft; Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS); K9 Unit (dogs); Mounted Unit (horses); Flying Squad (10111 response team); Tactical Response Teams; Air Wing; Special Task Force and Public Order Policing.
These units are permanent. There is therefore no specialised gang unit at national or provincial level. This, however, does not mean that SAPS is not doing anything about gangsterism.
Gangs exist in various forms and intensity throughout the country and can, generally, be linked to drugs and organised crime. The SAPS has responded by dealing with factors, primarily drugs that cause gangsterism to prosper, mainly through Visible Policing, the Detective Service and the Hawks.
During the financial year which ended on 31 March 2013, we closed down 41 clandestine drug manufacturing laboratories. During the same period, police confiscated more than 146 000 kilograms of cannabis, more than 500 000 dagga plants, close to 109 000 mandrax tablets, more than 145 000 kilograms of cocaine, more than 347 000 kilograms of tik and more than 90 000 kilograms of Whoonga and Nyaope.
As it relates to gangs themselves, we do establish temporary task teams, with a lifespan of between three to six months, to deal with specific issues as and when they arise. We have done so recently in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State.
The other intervention required involves the multi-disciplinary approach that we have adopted. This is because gangsterism is a social crime which not only requires combating by the police, it also needs to be dealt with by other authorities and civil society.
Media enquiries:
Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale
Cell: 082 778 3718
