Remarks by the Deputy Minister of Police Maggie Sotyu at the South African Police Service (SAPS) Top 1500 Conference and Ministerial Engagement, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Programme Director,
All SAPS Top Management present here,
SAPS Stakeholders present,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Last year, in January 2013 to be precise, we met under the guidance of Minister Nathi Mthethwa, to require a necessary and structured engagement with the police officers, who are decision-makers, whether at a National, Divisional, Provincial, Cluster, or Station level.
Mr. Thabang Motsohi, who was the facilitator, articulated the main purpose of that conference as follows: “The Conference sought to bring these key individuals who manage the South African Police Service (SAPS) at all levels, to establish a common understanding of and commitment to the purpose and vision of the SAPS, within the context of the transformation imperatives that are shaping South African society and the SAPS”.
Yes, this Conference was a first of its kind in post-apartheid SAPS, yet it was a long overdue exercise. Because, from the onset in 1994, the ANC-led Government had made policing transformation, a key part of its Election Manifesto 1994; and has continued to do so over the 20 years of democracy.
However, along the way, beaurocrats or public servants who are managers, had continuously misinterpreted the notion of “Transformation” as meaning either “replace white officers with black ones”; or “police should deliver value for money”.
I refer to these understandings of “transformation”, as “misinterpretations” simply because they are limiting the focus of policing. The ruling party’s manifesto was clear then, and it is still clear now, that we need a people-centred policing, that is entrenched in the fundamental understanding of what people want. In this case, people mean both the public/communities and the police officer.
You are thus gathered here because we also want to hear from you as decision-makers at all levels, as to what you want in order for you to do your job to the best that you can. For, as the Ministry of Police, we do agree with the Report of last year’s Conference that, the most important asset and resource of any organisation is its people.
As key drivers of the SAPS, you had raised a host of concerns and complaints that have been captured in the Report of last year’s Conference. And, I would like to dwell on some that I find very critical in the transformation of the South African Police Service.
Most of you who attended last year’s Conference raised critical concerns on issues of police station capacity; roles and mandate; human resources; vehicles and equipment; technology; and policy/strategy.
Although vastly different on emphasis; but of fundamental importance, was the common factor trending in all concerns. And this was: the current systems in place in the Police Stations (whether policy, operational, financial, or administrative) were not complimenting or aligning with the desired or favourable capacity/needs of each police station.
Just to give you few examples. On “station capacity”, one person lamented that: “resources and policies that are developed at national level are not always fit for local needs”.
On “Roles and Mandate”, another one claimed: “Oversight bodies sometimes interfere in SAPS operations, e.g. the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and Members of the Executive Council (MECs) in the Province”.
And, the last example will be on “Vehicles and Equipment”, where it was asserted that, “bullet proof vests are cumbersome and are too hot to wear, especially in certain areas.”
The above examples do not necessarily reflect a total incapacitated or a dysfunctional SAPS at police station level. In fact, our police officers have been very efficient in their duty despite the above-mentioned challenges or concerns.
But, my main message here today is that, what is needed in the South African Police Service is a systems-approach that starts from bottom to top, looking at the whole policing process, inclusively. For instance, we cannot just empower people to be efficient in their jobs without making them to understand that, the training is beyond empowerment.
A police officer needs to embrace the fact that, his or her role is not only about fighting to eradicate crime; it is also about instilling confidence and hope in people’s minds when they see a police officer. It is about calming an anxious citizen when s/he in fear of falling victim to crime.
To get that kind of a police officer that will deliver a better outcome 3, we need then an emotional intelligent and transformed manager/commander, who will be radical in executing the vision of the ruling party. I termed this in my speech last year: “a multi-skilled, emotionally intelligent manager who is tolerant of diversity”.
So, we are here again, wanting to take stock on what needed to be delivered since 19th January 2013. The fundamental question is: how far are we since we last met in January 2013? What is the progress on all those undertakings?
Yes, I have read the Progress Report on all the issues raised at last year’s Conference. But, I must raise my dissatisfaction, for there are minimal completed interventions; and a host of way forward issues that still has to be done.
Indeed admittedly, this is not only SAPS’ doing, as there are other Departments that impact on SAPS’ progress or lack of thereof. Main examples will be, the issue of Accelerated Building Programme; the Management of Undocumented People; the Service Delivery Protests; etc.
For these past six months we have seen some of the greatest challenges our Police Service have had to face and endure in line of duty. The spate of violent service delivery protests have no doubt, compromised the mandate of our police officers. It is an understatement to say that, criminal syndicates are continuously taking advantage of these protests, provoking police officers with deadly behaviour.
You then need to speedily come with turn-around initiatives that will change the way the police officer respond to violent protests; that will change the way a citizen behaves to and perceives a police officer. We need to change how the SAPS fights crime; and how the Police relates to communities.
We need to win the confidence of our immediate stakeholders such as: the Secretariat of Police, the IPID, the MECs, etc by integrating our respective functions. We need to speedily create a new policing environment.
And we surely need to attract qualifying candidates as police officers. And there must be more skilled police officers, who want to remain with the SAPS rather than opting to jumping the ship to other sister departments or to the private sector.
Let us all start to account and own this process of transformation.
I thank you all.
