The Ministry of Police has noted newspaper various reports around the under-reporting of crime, based on the report released by South African Institute of Race Relations. As the Ministry we recognise that research organisations and academic institutions play a key role in providing sound inputs into our crime-fighting strategies.
We want to challenge them to continue with their robust yet constructive analysis. We welcome and recognise that on the one hand there is a current knowledge base from which we develop our policies and programmes, by also doing comparative studies with other developed and developing countries.
Under reporting of crime is not a situation unique to South Africa but a global challenge. In South Africa, we are concerned when we hear reports that crime victims do not report crimes and would urge them not to remain silent. What is the ministry doing to reverse this trend?
Over the past three years we began to review some of the inhibiting factors which may, inevitably, lead to members of society not reporting crime. That is why our annual crime statistics are seen to be indicative of trends and why murder is always considered the most accurate crime statistic.
Crime does not simply disappear; we must create conditions that will make crime disappear. This requires a concerted, united action by all South Africans. Although it is a government-led programme of action, active citizenry is crucial. The laws of the country are there to advance and uphold the rights of everybody on an equal basis, including their rights to safety.
To the police specifically, we have further emphasised the point that policing must not be seen as a favour to society but a mandate. Based on this, society has legitimate expectations that police in their entirety will treat them with courtesy and respect and they must.
In developing our crime-fighting strategy and give expression to government’s prioritisation, we have adopted a multi-facetted approach which includes, but not limited to:
The review of the criminal justice system
This review is borne out of a recognition of the inter relationship between all aspects of the criminal justice system (CJS). This speaks to tightening the roles of all players, whether one looks at this value-chain from police, justice, corrections right up to home affairs. Those who are most vulnerable in our society should be able to invoke the Constitution and law to protect them.
For this reason, in dealing with some of the allegations of police brutality, we began to strengthen the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, precisely to ensure that police do not abuse their powers as they carry out their mandate. Furthermore, all South Africans must know that they have recourse when they experience such abuse of law and that sterner actions will be taken against the perpetrators.
Improving policing and systems of policing within the country
In improving policing and our policing systems, we have a clear vision of the kind of Police Service we envisage. This then informs measures we are putting in place to achieve this vision. In any policing system, our intelligence is a nerve centre and plays a crucial role. It is for this reason we have prioritised the need to revitalise the intelligence component of SAPS and ensure the integration of intelligence into all aspects of policing.
A strengthened detective arm in fighting crime
We continue to upskill and capacitate our detective services. This includes not only increasing the number of detectives but also the quality of those we recruit. The establishment of the Hawks to address organised crime and corruption has already yielded significant successes. However, we are now putting more energy into the areas of general detective service.
Capacitating our forensics – a key priority
In the past there have been a number of reports about our forensics capacity and problems related to this. We are well aware that we cannot strengthen our detective services without equally addressing our forensic capacity.
Addressing our forensic capacity is not just about purchasing new equipment or employing new staff. Instead, we developed a clear plan with clear monitoring evaluation processes. This plan is looking at both international experiences as well as tangible outcomes to help us achieve our targets, over the next five years.
Our triple-C approach
In achieving our vision we need to address service delivery within the police. To achieve this we are now placing a concerted focus on what we have termed the triple-C approach.
This methodology speaks to the following aspects:
1. The need for greater command and control within the police. Part of command and control must address how we are managing our members at a provincial and national level. Management is not only about issuing instructions but also managing the how these instructions are implemented. It does not require a station commander to manage a police station, at a comfort of his laptop, from home.
He or she must be on the ground, overseeing a station daily, being in touch with the communities, CPFs and importantly, leading by example. We are emphasising the need for management to be held accountable and to reassert discipline within the police.
2. The need for greater coordination also requires our focus. All our different components of the police need to be working together and supporting each other. Through our different expertise, we work as a collective. We are facing safety challenges as a collective, not as individuals.
3. The final C refers to both internal and external communication. We are improving communication within the police as well as how we communicate with the society we are policing. Police must ensure that once they arrest criminals, communicate to society that such criminals are now behind bars. Failure to do so, leads to anxiety and perceptions that police are ineffective, when in fact they are effective.
We began, some two years ago, the review process of the White Paper on Safety and Security. We undertook this duty to ensure that going forward we begin to be guided by a clear single policy framework that speaks to the current democratic dispensation.
As the ministry we appreciate efforts that have been made by many communities and organisations throughout South Africa, in addressing various socio-economic challenges, including crime. We recognise that to win the war against crime it is essential that government join hands with all these partners in forming concrete partnerships.
We shall continue to implement crime-fighting strategies informed by clear monitoring mechanisms. We therefore urge communities to report any form of crime at the local police stations.
For enquiries please contact:
Zweli Mnisi, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Police
Cell: 082 045 4024
