announced on 7 July 2006
12 September 2006
Minister for Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula, his deputy, Ms Susan
Shabangu and the Safety MECs from all provinces met at the South African Police
Service (SAPS) College in Pretoria on Monday, 11 September 2006, to review
national police operations announced on 7 July 2006 and plans for the period
ahead.
Police management provided progress reports regarding investigations into
crimes such as cash in transit heist, bank robberies, and robberies on business
premises, house robberies and rape. The Ministers and MECs were encouraged by
the steady advances the SAPS were making in solving crime and arresting
suspects wanted in connection with aforementioned crimes.
Factors contributing to this increasing effectiveness of detection can be
ascribed to better utilisation of technology by the SAPS Forensic Science
Laboratory utilising the groundbreaking automated Genetic Sample Processing
System (GSPS), that will ensure that eight hundred samples can be loaded into
the robotic computerised system daily and the Integrated Ballistics
Identification System (IBIS) system used by the Ballistic Units in solving
fire-arm related cases.
Furthermore, the improved co-ordination and co-operation between Head Office
and provinces has resulted in dedicated tracing teams systematically using
forensic evidence gathered at crime scenes to thoroughly track and arrest
suspects wanted for serious crimes, including several repeat offenders.
Operational results are now fed back to head office on the 15th of each
month and reports should be communicated by the police at the end of each
month.
The matter of policing being under one command and control as specified in
the constitution is advancing apace with high a level meeting scheduled later
this week between SAPS Human Resource (HR) management and Gauteng Mayor Mr Amos
Masondo in his capacity as the head of South African Local Government
Association (SALGA) to address human resource matters arising from future
integration between SAPS and Metro Police.
Improving Service Delivery in terms of the current SAPS restructuring policy
remains a priority as can be witnessed in Booysens and Mamelodi police
stations. Later this week both police stations will be under the command of new
police station commissioners in order to root out deficient services delivery
and dubious policing practices.
In this regard police management at head office and provincial level are in
the process of being provided with hi-tech equipment enabling them to monitor
policing activities, resource allocations and management decisions at police
stations in real time. These facilities will also be extended to all Safety
MECs assisting them in exercising their oversight duties.
The Ministry and Police management and Safety MECs remain steadfast in their
commitment to rigorously tackling serious and violent crime in South
Africa.
Enquiries:
Hangwani Mulaudzi
Cell: 082 555 3505
Trevor Bloem
Cell: 082 778 3561
Issued by: Secretariat for Safety and Security
12 September 2006
