South Africa on the Verge of Police Crisis? - South African News Briefs - November 10, 2022

Left: South African Police Service badge. Top-right: Stellenbosch University campus. Bottom-right: Kruger National Park entrance.
10 November 2022

Cape Town — Is South Africa Facing a Policing Crisis?

The demand for the South African Police Service (SAPS) has increased beyond what law enforcement is able to provide, BusinessTech reports. This comes after Police Minister Bheki Cele spoke during a Parliamentary question and answer session detailing a lack of financial resources impacting SAPS' capability to provide policing service. "The SAPS' current capability … requires substantial additional resources. The continuous prioritisation of available resources is, therefore, a requirement to address the most critical needs of South Africans, which is bound by the available resources," said Cele. Budget constraints have enforced a limit of only 15,000 new police recruits being eligible for training over the next three years. This total will not be enough to compensate the number of officers exiting the service due to retirement. "The Police Act workforce has aged significantly, with a reduction of more than 30,000 within the age group 39 years and younger, i.e. from nearly 90,000 in 2011/12 to just more than 59,000 Police Act employees at present still in that age group," the SAPS said.

Report into Racism at Stellenbosch University Releases its Findings

A report by a commission headed by retired Judge Sisi Khampepe has released its findings into allegations of racism at Stellenbosch University, Eyewitness News reports. The commission, which began its work in June this year, recommended, among other considerations, that university management allocate more resources to its transformation office.

Stellenbosch University vice-chancellor, Professor Wim de Villiers hopes that while the report may unite the campus, establishment of the inquiry in the first place made the institution vulnerable. "We are invested in the future and we regard the work of the commission as an important contribution to the future wellness of our university ... The division for student affairs initiated a process late last year with regards to looking at the entire student life, especially student life within the residence space, as part of a task team that was put together to look at all the aspects of student life and residence life on our campus," he said.

Nobel Peace Prize Belonging to Former President FW De Klerk Stolen

According to BBC, former President FW de Klerk's Nobel Peace Prize was stolen from his home in April. De Klerk's widow, Elita, confirmed a robbery at the family's home which saw additional possession stolen from a locked safe. I realised that we were robbed in April of this year. On 5 April, I went to the safe and the safe was open. I had returned from an overseas trip on the fourth, so I remember the dates. Unfortunately, the safe was nearly empty," she said. "A lot of my jewelery was taken - it is difficult to put a price to it, as the pieces that were taken were given to me over the last 50 years for occasions, plus I had pieces that I inherited from my mother," she added. De Klerk was awarded the accolade in 1993 in recognition of his work with fellow former president Nelson Mandela in ending the apartheid system.

PSA Threatens Shutdown if Ramaphosa Fails to Respond to Demands

The leader of the Public Servants Association (PSA), Lufuno Mulaudzi, has warned that if President Cyril Ramaphosa does not respond to demands for a wage hike greater than 3%, greater action will be taken by workers than a one-day stay-away, Eyewitness News reports.

"If he didn't respond within seven working days, we are going to shut the country down," Mulaudzi said. The PSA leader also slammed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana who sent Laura Mseme, acting COO at the National Treasury to receive a memorandum of grievances on his behalf. "We will make it clear that we will not tolerate juniors coming to receive memorandums."

Kruger National Park Raises Security Level as Festive Season Looms

South African National Parks (SANParks) has elected to increase surveillance at Kruger National Park (KNP) entry gates in a bid to prevent crime, TimesLive reports. The SANParks environmental investigative unit, which has been successful in operations outside the KNP, will join other law-enforcement agencies to tackle criminals in adjoining villages. These operations will be targeted at those supplying rifles and ammunition, and recruiting poachers to commit crimes," said Danny Govender, acting Managing Executive of KNP.

The move comes after an increase in snares inside the reserve resulted in multiple serious injuries to animals which required the assistance of the Veterinary Wildlife Services. "We have introduced smart-camera technology systems at most hotspots. It has helped in the apprehension of suspected poachers and the confiscation of high-calibre hunting rifles and ammunition. Our dedicated rangers are also motivated and encouraged by the recent successful arrests and convictions of poachers. We will not let our guard down as the battle to safeguard our natural heritage is far from over," Govender said.

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