29 January 2009
The National Assembly and National Council of Provinces Committees on
Justice, Safety and Security and Correctional Services concluded yesterday
their country-wide public hearings on the proposed new integrated Criminal
Justice System (CJS).
The last round of the three-month long hearings was in the Western Cape. The
hearings focussed largely on the seven-point plan to transform the CJS and the
Victims' Charter. The Charter focuses on the rights of victims of crime and the
obligations of the state to them. It seeks to balance the rights of the accused
and the victims in a way that is consistent with the Constitution.
Participants in all the nine provinces expressed enormous frustration with
the South African Police Service and demanded better service from them.
Examples of problems raised included police corruption, failing to respond to
calls for help, as well as the misuse of official vehicles.
Despite the numerous complaints brought against the police, there were also
a significant number of people who recognised that the police were
under-resourced and overworked and that there were many hardworking, honest
police, some of whom have sacrificed their lives in the course of duty.
There were also calls to strengthen Community Policing Forums (CPFs), which
many communities recognised could be effective in reducing crime. It was clear
that the state needs to allocate more resources to CPFs, including allocating a
stipend to participants in CPFs, where finances allow.
Some people felt that the domestic violence cases were not always taken
seriously by the police, especially violence against men. The Committees would
write a report which would be debated in both Houses. The report will have
recommendations on how the CJS could be strengthened.
For interviews with chairpersons:
Ms Kanyisa Ndyondya
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 084 271 8116
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
29 January 2009
Source: Parliament of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za)
