Ministry and MECs agree to host a Cross Border Crime Indaba in early 2012
Regular if not daily interaction, proper coordination and constant communication between the SAPS provincial commissioners and MECs responsible for policing will ensure that crime-fighting programmes continue to deal a blow to criminal activities. More importantly such coordination and working-together, must also filter to local police station levels.
This undertaking was emphasised and agreed upon at a quarterly review meeting hosted by the Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa at Mandela Rhodes hotel, Cape Town today. Present were the acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and various provincial MECs responsible for policing; namely Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Free State, whereas North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga tendered apologies.
Minister Mthethwa emphasised that proper coordination between provincial commissioners and MECs will ensure that the fight against crime is not compromised. “Constant contact and interaction makes you understand when there are weaknesses. The decision to prioritise provincial coordination is also premised along an understanding that whilst each province’ safety vulnerability may differ, trends have over the past few years indicated that crime often gets displaced and crime syndicates operate inter-provincially.”
The meeting unanimously agreed to host a Cross Border Crime Indaba early next year; involving all provinces aimed at holistically discussing some of the challenges relating to cross border crimes. The meeting concurred that one of the fundamental considerations is to explore some of the best practices and information-sharing on this matter.
The Indaba will take into consideration the provincial differentials but utilise these different experiences to assist police to work together in curbing the scourge. “Unless we work together we shall continue to experience crime escalation hence all of us, as law enforcement officers irrespective of one’s level, share the same objective. We can have different protocols, but without interfering with legislation, an MEC and a provincial commissioner should be inseparable,” he added.
Updating the meeting, Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi pointed out that the appointment of the new commissioners should better enhance existing capacity of the SAPS in fighting crime. “There have been some structural challenges in some of the provinces but as we move towards better and effective coordination, we will be reviewing and looking at adjustments at the senior management. We have some of the best managers within the organisation and we must utilise these capacities to achieve better results.”
The meeting further agreed to continue to maximise awareness and consolidate partnerships around police killings. The underlying approach in dealing with these heinous killings is that government brought everybody on board all stakeholders to deal with this issue. “We need the support of the communities against the killing of police and stand a better chance to deal with this negative issue if we work together. If criminals kill our foot soldiers, criminals will have a field day and we cannot allow that. This issue must always be on top of our agenda and every law abiding citizens,” added Minister Mthethwa.
One of the agenda issues extensively deliberated upon was the current When Duty Calls Festive Season campaigns, which are visible throughout all provinces. “We have launched the campaigns, now we want to see more action and less talking. Police actions on heartless criminals must speak volumes, whether through police visibility or cracking down on crime syndicates. There should also be continuous sharing of information; the left hand must know what the right hand is doing,” stated the Minister.
In conclusion, the meeting noted progress on the current internal review of the White Paper on Safety and Security, which is at a phase where the ministry is currently collating inputs from different provinces before it goes public. The deadline for submission is set for end of January 2012.
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