South Africa: Police Committee Concerned By Continued Capacity Shortages Within Crime Intelligence and Detectives

11 July 2024
Parliament of South Africa (Cape Town)
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Parliament — The Portfolio Committee on Police is concerned by the continued capacity shortages in crime intelligence and detectives within the South African Police Service (SAPS). The committee considers these areas critical in efforts to proactively reduce crime and ensure effective prosecution of criminals. The committee held its first meeting of the 7th Parliament yesterday and considered the 2024/25 budget allocation and annual performance plan for the SAPS and entities within the portfolio.

The continued attrition within the detective services has a direct impact on the ability of the SAPS to investigate criminal acts and to ensure that criminals are prosecuted. "The effective capacitation of the detective services will be one of the first steps in the effective efforts to fight crime. We have an immense responsibility to ensure that the SAPS management put in place strategies to remedy capacity challenges within the detective services, and it will be an area of focus for this committee," said the newly elected Chairperson of the committee, Mr Ian Cameron.

While the committee acknowledged the 5.6% average growth in allocation for the detective services, the committee highlighted that enhanced training, human resource capacitation and improved forensic science services should be the focus going forward.

Furthermore, the continued ineffectiveness of the SAPS crime intelligence unit is a concern for the committee. "We agree with the 6th Parliament committee that crime intelligence is central to effective and proactive reduction in crime. Although the programme has been allocated about R4.7 billion in the current financial year, its impact has been minimal," Mr Cameron said. The committee called for effective and accountable crime intelligence unit that will be able to prevent crime.

As the new term starts, the committee highlighted that it presents an opportunity to revamp the crime intelligence unit and turn it into a potent tool in the fight against crime. "We cannot afford to repeat the history of inefficiencies, unaccountability and disfunction within this critical environment," Mr Cameron emphasised.

The committee welcomed the assurance that the SAPS has identified critical areas for funding, including additional funds for the family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) units, and to sustain the allocation for forensic science services, and the capacitation of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and of crime intelligence. Despite this, the committee highlighted that ineffectively implemented plans will not change South Africans' lived realities nor the negative socio-economic impact that crime has on the people.

Meanwhile, the committee is also concerned about the inadequate wellness programmes for the members of the SAPS. The continued disregard for this important aspect has a direct impact on the morale and effectiveness of the members and their ability to fight crime. The committee has urged the SAPS management to ensure enhanced focus on psycho-social interventions to assist members to cope with a generally stressful work environment.

The committee further acknowledged the additional allocation to the visible policing programme, which is aimed at ensuring increased visibility of police, something that is a major deterrent to crime. Furthermore, the increased allocation will strengthen the fight against contact crimes, especially the gender-based violence (GBV) endemic in the country. Despite this, the committee called on the SAPS to relook at its targets in the fight against GBV and to intensify measures to fight the problem.

On the Rural Safety Strategy, the committee welcomes assurances from the SAPS that rural safety remains a priority and will be enhanced by the increase in allocation for the visible policing environment. Also of importance is the continued support to community police forums, which are a great resource in the fight against crime.

Regarding the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the committee is concerned about the negative impact of budgetary cuts on the ability of the directorate to implement its mandate. The projected R30 million funding cuts over the medium term will have a direct impact on the ability of the directorate to recruit and retain skilled investigators. This will contribute to work overload on the available staff. The committee is of the view that IPID plays a critical watchdog role over the SAPS and this role cannot be undermined.

The committee has committed to enhancing its oversight over the SAPS to ensure an efficient and effective police service. "We must ensure that SAPS functions optimally so that people of South Africa are and feel safe. We cannot fail in this immense responsibility we have been given," Mr Cameron concluded.

Read the original article on Parliament of South Africa.

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