Editors' Forum (SANEF) and the Office of the National Commissioner of the South
African Police Service (SAPS)
19 January 2007
In a meeting with South African editors in Pretoria today, the National
Commissioner of the South African Police Service explained his plans for
improved, open relations between the media and the police, in order to provide
the public with information on crime and policing.
That meeting followed reports that police communication would be restricted
to provincial level and concerns from the media that the free flow of
information would be restricted.
The National Commissioner explained in broad terms the rationale behind the
present restructuring process underway in the SAPS and how it related to
communication. He emphasised that, instead of centralising police
communication, it was his intention to empower every police station in all
facets of policing including media liaison.
It was a reality, however, that the SAPS was not yet in a position to have a
trained communication official at each of the country's 1 136 police stations.
This would take some time to achieve. SANEF offered its support and involvement
in training police communicators in this process.
In the meantime, the National Commissioner emphasised that the notion that
media could only obtain information from a single provincial spokesperson was a
miscommunication which he immediately revoked.
"We are not gagging anyone. Every police official can in fact speak to the
media in terms of his or her own area of expertise," said Commissioner Selebi.
"In the interim, media representatives seeking information can contact
appointed police spokespersons and this office undertakes to provide the media
with a list of such individuals."
Commissioner Selebi welcomed the offer of assistance from SANEF to train
police communicators. "We really want to be a better organisation in terms of
communications," he said
SANEF deputy chairperson, Thabo Leshilo said: "We are pleased the confusion
has been cleared up and look forward to the restructuring facilitating a better
flow of information through the media to the public."
Contact details:
Thabo Leshilo
Deputy SANEF Chairperson
Cell: 082 574 5269
Sally de Beer
Office of Jackie Selebi
Cell: 082 779 8658
Issued by: South African Police Service
19 January 2007
Source: SAPA
