Speakers’ Notes: General Sitole –Crime Detection Conference, Velmore Hotel
Programme Director
Deputy National Commissioners
Divisional Commissioners present
Provincial Commissioners
Deputy Provincial Commissioners
Senior Officers
Distinguished guests present
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen:
It gives me great pleasure and I feel honoured to be afforded an opportunity to address you this afternoon on a critical aspect of policing, “Crime Detection”.
We have now come to the end of this progressive ground-breaking inaugural ‘Crime Detection Conference’ under the theme “Repositioning crime detection for excellence and synergy in the South African Police Service (SAPS) service delivery value chain”.
Ladies and gentlemen: we have gathered as the South African Police Service (SAPS) understanding the underlying challenges we are facing in fighting crime. Hosting a conference of this nature with the detectives, intelligence and forensic services and their operational and strategic partners both internally and externally signals that we do appreciate that we have challenges regarding crimedetection, strategic collaborations with Crime Intelligence, forensics and other components that speak to the crime detection and its value chain holistically.
We have again re-emphasised the fact that the SAPS exists to serve, thus at the centre of our policing is our client, while we work with our critical role-players such as the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, Financial Intelligence Centre, National Prosecuting Authority, Department of Health, the Departmentof Justice and key stakeholders such as SABRIC, Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, Business Against Crime, etc,. We have therefore engaged robustly on our shortcomings and emphatically on how we are to respond to these.
Ladies and gentlemen: the Crime Detection conference held here has resolved that all our programmes will be conducted in a client oriented manner that is informed by the client satisfaction led crime detection programmes. Our gathering intended resolutions that will address the challenges in resolving cases and putting behind bars those who terrorise our communities.
It cannot be that we continue to have excessive amounts of cases which are not finalised, particularly if this is due to our own shortcomings, it cannot be that we neglect communicating with our clients on what has transpired with their cases. Proper engagements with our communities regarding their cases and complaints would build trust and strong relationships with them as core partners in crime fighting initiatives.
We are before the nation this afternoon; to reflect and give account of the journey we have traversed over the past three days. We are indeed reaffirming our commitment to serve the people of South Africa better as we emerge here with a sense of optimism in that these tasked with carrying out the resolutions will indeed do so.
Ladies and gentlemen: the crime detection conference re-affirmed the SAPS‘s five year strategic plan 2019/2024. The South African Police Service Turnaround Vision as well as the Six Point Plan of the Minister (Action Plan for the implementation and aligned with AOP’s) i.e. Crimes against Women and Children, Gang Violence, Taxi Violence, Kidnapping, Political Killings and Stock Theft.
The conference has among others reaffirmed the OCTA Strategy, Root cause analysis and modus operandi, cybercrime strategy, recruitment, reenlistment and retention strategy. We will seek to reenlist former members to enhance the capacity and capabilities of the Crime Detection environment.
The conference had undertook to resolve that:-
The Detective Service should have standards for an ideal investigating officer, group commander and section commander, with similar standards for Crime Intelligence and Forensic Services, also in the interest of enhancing the image of Crime Detection including the corporate image and value system and dress code within the framework of SAPS
The uniform enquiry and investigative units be re-established (back to basics) as we seek to alleviate the burden of detectives carrying too many dockets.
Capacitate the environment to meet service delivery demands taking into account the ratio between VISPOL and Detectives Service. Strengthen informer network capacity with the aim to improve the current performance for Crime Detection.
Tracking units should resort under the Division Detective Service to optimise the tracking of wanted suspects. Currently these units are placed within the Operational Response Services environment.
We have noted that there are challenges with regard to the provision of feedback to complainants (victim support). Therefore, we have identified a need to develop a National Instruction (containing standardised reporting template) on providing feedback to complainant.
The conference has further resolved that adopt strict compliance and to set guidelines thereof as well as the implementation of consequence management pertaining to non-compliance.
Governance should be revisited and re-training of members should be considered to enhance procedures to revive the importance of among others the critical need to oppose bail.
There is a need for the alignment of registers in the management and submission of the Result of Trial (ROT and recovery plan) between the Detectives and LCRC [SAPS 69 & SAPS 76]. Therefore, Integration of the court results with CRIM, CAS and ICDMS. Electronic submission of fingerprints [live scan] ABIS [Automated Biometric identification system].
We have resolved to develop an internal strategic marketing plan forindicating Crime Intelligence tools and services to enhance crime detection
We have also identified a need to capacitate and enhance the Detective Service Centre (DSC) capability by ensuring that there will be a minimum number of non-commissioned officers and commissioned officer per relief be adopted and implemented at Brigadier stations and at Colonel stations for now.
We have also resolved that a Crime Detection Academy be established.
We have resolved that cold case teams should be established in all provinces and resort under the Provincial Investigation Units.
We have noted a risk with regard to providing timelines for the investigation of a case docket. Therefore the conference resolves that:
The following timelines be set:
- 72 hours to complete compulsory investigation with a competent team attached to the Detective Service Centre.
- All serious and violent cases crime scenes to be visited by senior officers.
- Strict adherence to investigation timelines on serious crimes.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have also taken a number of operational resolutions which I would imagine you will appreciate that we are unable to disclose at this stage.
We have also engaged a number of stakeholders some of which we have resolved to enter into memoranda of understating for better coordination.Currently we have a developed a good working relationship with stakeholders such as SABRIC, Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, etc, but we seek to enhance this this relationship as we engage other stakeholders that can make a valuable contribution to our efforts in the fight against crime. We also have excellent working relationships with our neighbouring countries as we continue to combat the cross border crimes.
Ladies and gentlemen: as we leave this venue let us do so remembering the fact that we have the privilege to serve and improve the lives of those who are vulnerable, law abiding citizens who are loyal to our Constitutional democracy. They are crying out for our help and have a Constitutional obligation to them to make South Africa a safer country to live in. We have a responsibility to demonstrate in deeds our commitment to a safer nation.
Thank you
