Hon Chairperson, Ministers and Deputy Ministers present, hon Members of Parliament, acting Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ms Van Wyk, MECs responsible for policing present, National Commissioner of Police, Gen Phiyega, all directors-general of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster, the SA Police Service, SAPS, senior management present, heads of entities, civilians and Secretariats of Police, Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Ipid, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, PSIRA, all strategic partners of the SAPS in the fight against crime, comrades, friends, ladies and gentlemen, I greet you.
In 2009, the ANC unveiled a manifesto which resonated well with the aspirations of the multitude of South Africans. In this manifesto, the movement prioritised five key areas for the term of office of its administration. For the purpose of this debate, we will concentrate on one of them - the fight against crime and corruption, under Outcome 3, which says, "People are and feel safe in South Africa". We have to reflect on the past three years of our term in office. In doing so it would be important to put facts and figures to the road we have travelled so far. The level of crime continues to drop and, contrary to the current discourse, more people are beginning to feel safe.
As we reflect on the progress over this period of three years, the national crime statistics indicate, amongst others, that murder decreased by 17,2% during the past three years, attempted murder by 21,8%; bank robberies by 64,2%; cash-in-transit heists by 53,6%; and robbery at residential premises decreased by 12,5%. Over the past three years, sexual offences decreased by 11,9%, rape, in particular, by 2,9%; carjacking by 38,9%, whilst stock theft decreased marginally, by 0,8%.
Furthermore, according to the Victims of Crime Survey, Vocs, of 2012 there is an increase of 8% in the public appreciation for how government is doing in reducing crime levels when compared to five years ago. The crimes against women and children, gender-based violence and domestic violence not only affect the most vulnerable in society, but also contribute to a mentality that violence is an acceptable and valid means of self-assertion. Protection of communities must also be central to strategies aimed at reducing incidences of gender-based violence.
I am encouraged to report before this august House that since the reintroduction of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units, based on capacity-building and investment in the environment, remarkable increases in life sentences continue to be experienced. There were 1 194 life sentences secured during the past three years, that is, 306 in 2010-11, 389 in 2011-12, and 499 in 2012-13.
Nationally, we now have 176 established Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units attached to all police clusters within the SAPS. In support of the investigation of such crimes, 2 139 forensic social workers were appointed. These include 79 forensic social workers who where appointed to assist in cases of child sexual abuse by means of conducting assessments, evaluations; compiling court reports and providing expert testimony in court as a means to strengthen our cases towards increasing convictions in this area.
In this Budget Vote, we are joined by the top seven best investigators for the 2012-13 financial year. I ask you please to join me in congratulating the following officers: Lieutenant L T Monene from Limpopo, who secured 11 life sentences ... [Applause.] ... Constable A E Mathevula from Limpopo, again, who secured five life sentences ... [Applause.] ... Warrant Officer N D Ligege from Limpopo, who secured five life sentences ... [Applause.] ... Constable C Mokone from North West, who secured four life sentences ... [Applause.] ... Constable Bokolo from the Eastern Cape, who secured four life sentences two weeks ago ... [Applause.] ... Warrant Officer O E Monnamme from North West, who secured two life sentences ... [Applause.] ... and Constable R R Visagie from the Northern Cape, who secured two life sentences. [Applause.]
We currently have 919 victim-friendly facilities rendering victim support services and intend to establish these rooms at all stations during 2013- 14. However, the main focus is on the establishment of a dedicated capacity and the requisite soft skills to enhance victim-friendly services.
The Hawks said that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, DPCI, has continued its fight against crime, especially organised crime relating particularly to drugs, for the past year, in the amount of R95 million. They have arrested 334 and so far secured the closing of 41 laboratories during the year under review.
On precious metals, during this 2012-13 financial year, the number of individuals arrested for the illegal purchase, theft and possession of uncut diamonds and unwrought precious metals was 198, in addition to 314 arrests in 2011-12. Of the number of arrested persons, so far 71 have been convicted.
We are pleased to report that crime intelligence conducted 37 network operations, which led to the arrest of 10 607 individuals and the recovery of goods to the value of R683 million for the past year. [Applause.] The work also continues in the forensic science laboratories. To this end, during the 2012-13 financial year, forensic science services reduced backlogs in the various disciplines to ensure the processing of cases through the criminal justice system.
We have continued to deepen our partnership with various stakeholders. From the time we were given this task three years ago, we have forged links and worked closely with partners like the SA Banking Risk Information Centre, Sabric, as one of the partners in the fight against crime. Through their industry expertise, they have been able to deepen and share their skills and expertise within the banking sector by setting up initiatives to combat automated teller machine, ATM, crime, cheque fraud and crime in general in business.
We are also working with Business Against Crime South Africa as another vital partner in the fight against crime. We have also continued to engage communities through Community Policing Forums, the CPFs, civic organisations, amongst others, as well as the religious bodies. These are bearing fruit, especially in the success of the SAPS in the fight against crime.
In the coming year we are hoping to finalise some legislation that is going to help us to further deepen our fight against crime. Amongst others, there are the Private Security Industry Regulatory Amendment Bill, the SA Police Service Amendment Bill and other pieces of legislation that are meant to help us in the fight against crime.
Turning now to the National Key Points Act, in 2007 a draft National Key Points Bill was developed and progressed as far as the National Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac, process. At this juncture certain issues prevented the processing of the Bill.
Earlier this year, I asked the legal team in my department to look at this Bill, to begin the process of refining it, and introducing it in Parliament. We are now realigning the National Key Points Act with the Constitution and other pieces of legislation. [Applause.] In addition to this, in terms of section 6(1) of the National Key Points Act, I have appointed an advisory committee to assist me with evaluating this very important area.
This committee, which is going to be working on this matter, is led by Adv Hamilton Maenetje and other people from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and civilian secretariat. We expect the first part of their work to be completed by the end of July this year. The Bill will then be introduced in Parliament before the end of the year.
We continue to focus on the issue of the training and recruitment of police officers. In January this year, I convened the top 1 500, meeting with all clusters and all station commanders in the country. In this meeting, we looked at the state of policing in South Africa and, amongst others, the issue of recruitment, and the need to change the way we recruit people into the police featured prominently.
The other issue, which becomes important for us, is the lives of members of the police and their psychological welfare. Policing is a difficult duty. Our officers operate under strenuous conditions, and they face some of the most dangerous criminals on a daily basis.
The nature of crime is unique and violent in our country. As part of our intervention, the Employee Health and Wellness programme is freely available to all members. Whilst some members have used this programme, sadly, we still have some amongst them who do not believe that they need to go through the counselling process and seek professional help.
However, this programme comprises qualified, experienced and registered psychologists, social workers and chaplains. There are clearly outlined referral processes between the different professionals. The programme and medical schemes are guided by the needs of employees and their immediate families. Members have access to a 24-hour call centre service where one-on- one telephone counselling and individual trauma debriefing is done. Through a number of different forums, I have already emphasised the need to have a concerted effort in the psychological welfare of SAPS officials, and we are beginning to engage external role-players to assist in this regard.
The Firearms Control Act is a crucial piece of legislation. It is important that we all understand the policy that underpins this legislation in a country that faces high levels of violent crime. There have been people who have sought to challenge our policies. I can say that ours rest on a very firm basis, and we remain resolute in our commitment to stand our ground on this matter. [Applause.] Where we were taken to court, as was shown in the Justice Alliance of SA matter, which went all the way to the Constitutional Court, we stood our ground, succeeded and won that case. [Applause.]
Over the past few months, concerns have been raised about the practices of certain unscrupulous firearms dealers who are not complying with the provisions of the Firearms Control Act. Last week, I instructed Ms Soraya Hassim, senior council, and Advocate Rams Ramashia to head an inquiry that is currently investigating these allegations because if indeed they are proven to be true, they could impact negatively on our crime reduction efforts. We cannot allow this. Within the next six weeks, they will complete their investigation and will provide me with a comprehensive report of their findings, including recommendations. There is no direct link between the number of deaths in custody and the introduction of ranks within the police. We have noted reports around a number of deaths in custody, or people dying as a result of police action. Let us utilise this occasion to highlight that the number of deaths in police custody does not necessarily mean that police were directly responsible. In some cases, it includes natural deaths while suspects are in police custody, while in other instances it includes the confrontation that criminals stage against the police, particularly in cash-in-transit heists.
We have looked into the Ipid figures and cannot correlate them with the introduction of ranks. In 2008-09, before the rank structure was introduced, the number of incidents recorded by Ipid had increased by 15%, but the following three years saw a decrease of 21,1%. Therefore, whilst we remain concerned about any loss of life, irrespective of whatever circumstances, there is no evidence that links this to the introduction of ranks within the police.
The number of private security guards registered in our country today stands at 1,2 million. It is also estimated that of the guards registered, 353 000 are active within the industry. This means that the number of private security guards operating outstrips that of the SAPS and SA National Defence Force, SANDF, combined. It is, amongst others, one of the reasons that we have taken this process through to Parliament and introduced it, to regulate this industry, which is very important, and to look into it.
Scholars across the spectrum recognise that social systems are founded on definite historical origins. If the saying, "out of nothing, nothing comes" is true, then it must follow that the future is formed and derives its first impulse in the womb of the present. The world is beginning to look at us and our continent, not so much for our lack of capacity, but for our capacity to do things in a way that makes everyone proud. Conditions have emerged where the world wants to do business with us.
In the future, policing must be guided by the understanding that the crime landscape will continuously evolve. This will require the SAPS to remain innovative and adapt its policing approaches to respond to this changing environment. The unity of citizens on the question of crime should act as a source of great strength to all of us. Today there can be no doubt about the determination of the overwhelming majority of the citizens of this country to take concerted action to help in the fight against crime. I thank you. [Applause.]
Chair, there can surely be no greater sacrifice than to put one's life on the line to protect one of our citizens. Each year in the SA Police Service's annual report, we read the names of those officers who did just that. They died doing a job they love, protecting us. They are the real heroes. What makes them real heroes is that they continued to do this job, possibly the toughest job in the world, in the face of actions by their colleagues that brought this nation great shame, such as the Marikana Massacre; Mido Macia being dragged behind a police vehicle and then beaten to death; Andries Tatane being shot to death in front of the nation's eyes on television; Anene Booysen, a gang-rape investigation gone bad; SAPS colleagues driving off, dragging a court interpreter by the neck in North West; Guptagate; the remilitarisation of the SA Police Service, SAPS, along with the shoot-to-kill mantra, leading some of their colleagues to treat protesters and even nonprotesters as the enemy.
This is, of course, just a small sample of why the SAPS had to put aside 32,8%, R20,5 billion, of its massive budget for contingent liabilities. Most of this is to pay civilians for having been shot, raped, beaten, robbed, hijacked, raped in cells, illegally detained, run over, wrongfully arrested, or to the families of those tortured or murdered. All of these actions were perpetrated by SAPS members.
There were almost 5 000 complaints against SAPS members this past year, of which 720 related to deaths at the hands of SAPS members, 88 cases of domestic violence by SAPS members and 2 320 allegations of criminal offences by SAPS members. We've seen the filmed footage of a number of these cases, as has the rest of the world, and yet the President refused my request to establish a judicial commission of inquiry into police brutality, saying it was unnecessary. I beg to differ.
It is this brutality, coupled with quite possibly the most inferior training regime in the world, that led to the results revealed by the SA Institute of Race Relations investigation that 1,7 million crimes went unreported to the police in 2011, a massive vote of no confidence in our SAPS. Particularly horrifying was the claim that three murders a day go unreported. Of the 3,3 million crimes experienced in 2011, only 48% were reported.
Indeed, as a nation, we should hang our heads in shame that only one in 10 victims of rape go to the SAPS. This means that if official statistics show 70 000 rapes reported during the annual crime statistics release circus this August, at least 700 000 women, children and men were raped. The vast majority of our SAPS members know this, and yet they still go to work each day, willing to take a bullet for you or me.
The SAPS certainly has the budget to supply our stations with the equipment they need. Of course, they should automatically have running water, toilets and electricity, and yet there are stations without some, or even all three, of these essentials. Instead the management finds what it considers to be other priorities, such as choosing to pay R4 billion to consultants. Among those, for example, R11 million was spent on adult education courses for SAPS members, despite matric being a prerequisite for joining the SAPS. This, 20 years after democracy, doesn't say much for our education system, does it?
Then there is the fact that we send our officers off to capacitate other countries, if that is indeed what they do there. Fifteen members were sent to South Sudan, with another 53 members today standing by for deployment to Darfur. The Darfur mission was started in 2005 at a cost of R12 million annually. This, while we have stations without water and our Public Service members striking yesterday, striking today and striking again next month for the increases they were promised back in 2011. Over R96 million in taxpayers' money is going instead to South Sudan and Darfur, while the SAPS pleads poverty.
Of course there are other categories of the SAPS that plead poverty, all of them preventable. Usually they may be categorised as bungles, criminality or just utter stupidity. I would put in the latter category the fact that the multimillion rand automatic vehicle location, AVL, SAPS car tracking system contract lapsed while the last, disgraced, National Police Commissioner Cele only signed the renewal three days after it expired.
The criminality relates to the seven multimillion rand contracts currently being investigated where hundreds of millions simply seem to have disappeared. The Special Investigating Unit, SIU, is still investigating the two ridiculously expensive National Police Days, so we'll have to wait and see which of the three categories they fall into.
Then there are the generic issues that see SAPS actions boosting crime, which they then have to fight. In 2010 the Minister of Police stated publicly that he really was going to be tough on SAPS members who lost their firearms - automatic dismissal. Thus far, SAPS firearms lost amount to 13 000 and dismissals zero. I did ask whether or not there were serial offenders, officers who lost a firearm annually in lieu of a 13th cheque, and they didn't know.
While general looting of SAPS coffers continues, such as in crime intelligence, there has on the other hand been a massive dropping of crime- fighting targets. This is the core mandate of the police, but as the SAPS fails to reach a target, so they drop it from 7% to 14%; it dropped from 4% to 7%; dropped to 2%; and dropped to 1%, or in some areas they said they would be content to maintain the status quo, and that for R67,9 billion.
Meanwhile they have quietly erased certain measurements that annually shamed them, such as how many officers don't have bulletproof vests or firearms. The rural safety strategy has evaporated, as has the reporting on murders and attacks on farmers and farm workers. What they don't like, they prevent us from seeing, rather like the Guptagate report before the snap debate last week.
The same is happening to our reservists, as they have been turned away from the SAPS's doors since 2008, when a bizarre moratorium on the taking on of this free labour was instituted. This, even though on 5 January 2010 this Minister answered my parliamentary question, saying the moratorium had been lifted. It hadn't and it still hasn't. So for five years the call to communities to assist in the fight against crime has seen them turned away at the door. I have no doubt this is an intentional move.
It's as intentional as retaining within the SAPS thousands of convicted criminals who committed a crime and got away with a fine, rather like here in Parliament. Even if an SAPS member has to pay a R30 000 fine for, for example, grievous bodily harm, beating someone almost to death, they don't miss a day at work or have the firearm taken from their hip. One has to ask how seriously we can take an SAPS that allows criminals to skulk in their ranks.
This has been one of the dangers of mass recruitment. In 2008, with anyone and everyone being scooped into the service and the reservists, we were left with masses of poorly trained officers, sometimes with criminal records, and of course no internal anticorruption unit. This was thanks to the disgraced National Police Commissioner before the last disgraced NPC, Jackie Selebi, who was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on 2 July 2010, and the impact on the SAPS was cataclysmic. The shame he brought on South Africa was off the Richter scale, yet he never saw the inside of a cell. Since July last year he's been back living in his mansion, still owing us R17 million.
Meanwhile the criminal case laid by the DA against Bheki Cele as a result of the Public Protector's report on the scandalous lease deals is so far on the back burner it has gone as cold as a spent cartridge. It's all about attitude and leading from the front, and as long as recycled politicians and quasi politicians are given the job of National Police Commissioner, there is not one of our SAPS members who is going to aspire to that position. For example, despite all "the women and children first" rhetoric we hear annually, SAPS members seem universally incapable of taking domestic violence seriously. In 35% of cases they fail to arrest an abuser, and in 17% they fail to arrest them even when an arrest warrant has been issued. They simply refuse. They aren't thrown out of the SAPS either. This, while 2 500 women are murdered here each year. Indeed, our femicide rate is five times the global average.
Perhaps this is all because those at the highly paid top have been too focused on the whole grubby Mdluli saga to see what's going on in front of their eyes. He's now been sitting at home on full pay for a year, while his two colleagues are being charged with theft, fraud and corruption relating to the looting of the crime intelligence slush fund. So we sit with an acting head of crime intelligence until this matter is dealt with.
However, it's extremely embarrassing for the Police portfolio committee to grill the SAPS on this and the rest of the empty posts filled by mere acting hosts when indeed the very person who sits in as head of our committee has been in an acting position for a full year. Consider hon Van Wyk. There is no one in this room, bar myself perhaps, who knows more about the SAPS and our portfolio committee than she does. She has done an exemplary job in this position when I felt sure no one could fill the shoes of hon Chikunga.
The question is, until such time as this country becomes a mature democracy and appoints opposition members to lead all the portfolio committees, as is done in so many countries around the world, why on earth have you not appointed her? Stop dithering and get on with it. You even put her after me in the debate. [Interjections.]
This committee has work to do, such as asking why backlogs are on the increase again, despite our having spent billions on forensic laboratories. It doesn't help that the Health department labs are totally dysfunctional, making it virtually impossible to convict drunk drivers, because it takes over a year for them to process a simple vial of blood. With the DNA legislation finally coming before us on Tuesday after years of languishing before Cabinet, I did find myself wondering if we have the capacity to handle the proposed criminal DNA database.
Another red flag for South Africa is that in three years the rhino population in the Kruger National Park will enter a negative growth phase. Five years later there will be no rhinos left there at all. How did we reach this stage? I believe it's because of three years of vapid empty-suit leadership. It has sent discipline and professionalism into freefall. Crime statistics barely dropped last year and it is accepted that the SAPS presenting crime statistics is like allowing matriculants to mark their own exam papers. There seems to be an inability to understand that a lack of training is the key. A Public Service Commission report has revealed that 20% of detectives are without basic training. Only 3,3% of SAPS members are trained in sexual offences and the rest know nothing. Cases are thrown out of court and criminals remain on the streets. It is this lack of understanding of the SAPS's needs that sees us having 27 000 SAPS members with firearms, but no licences; stations with vehicles, but 16 000 cops without driver's licences; and cops too overweight and unfit to catch a cold, let alone a criminal.
The Minister continually bends over backwards to appease the Congress of South African Trade Unions, Cosatu, as seen with his firing of cleaners and security guards, with no plans for the chaos this move would cause.
Meanwhile he wastes taxpayers' time and money playing politics, such as his fight against the introduction of the Community Safety Bill in the Western Cape, or challenging the right of the Western Cape government to institute a commission of inquiry into the breakdown between community and police in Khayelitsha.
Now a word to the real police in this Chamber. You don't need the politics and gimmicks that emanate from government. You're being leaned on by politicians, while policing priorities are dictated by the news cycle rather than by what works. It's time to refocus because you already have the laws and the powers to take back our country street by street. [Applause.] All you have to do is implement what exists. You are under enormous pressure in the face of organised crime and threats to national security. You must be able to go about your job without worrying about the next edict from on high. You must be given the licence to police. How? By working with the local people; by developing local strategies; by welcoming your community policing forum, CPF, link to the public; and by understanding that communities have the right to demand the removal of station heads if they aren't up to scratch.
Citizens are expected to compare standards between schools in their area, just as patients are expected to compare the performance of local hospitals, and they should also be able to do the same with local police stations. We must give the public much more information about crime on their streets, with detailed crime maps of the crimes in their area. They must know where they are at risk. Enough with the secrecy. It's costing lives. Our citizens pay a fortune to you and to private security, and they must be able to challenge you, and your performance. If you were free to train, equip and perform as I know you can, I believe the need for private security in South Africa would simply cease. We can go on as we are. We can continue to allow inexperienced officers to be put in as leaders and expected to learn on the job; citizens living in fear; being known best for our world-class criminals and the fact that 47 of us are murdered each day. Or we could turn this page of what has been an ineffectual, excuse-ridden management. We could take back all that is good and great about the SAPS, allowing you to promote the best, to be the best you can.
I believe you want to answer to the people you signed up to serve and protect, and I believe you should be allowed to do that. Today South Africa deserves, and pays for, a highly professionalised and top-performing police service. Look in the National Development Plan. But we don't yet have one.
You have a veritable Mount Everest to climb, but there is enough that is great and good in you as the SAPS, and I believe that we will see you back up there, with these disgraces behind you, once again as a service with members our citizens run to for help, instead of run away from in fear. I salute you. [Applause.]
Chairperson, may I address you on a point of procedure? It has been protocol in this House that a member from the governing party, usually the chairperson of the committee, follows the Minister when speaking in debates. [Interjections.] We were informed about an hour ago without consultation that the order has now been changed and that the Official Opposition will follow the Minister.
Sir, I would like to ask you whether this conversion will prevail in all debates in the House hereafter, including that of the state of the nation address.
Hon member, you have made your point. It's a pity you didn't raise the point of order before hon Kohler- Barnard took to the podium. Unfortunately, it is too late now. I was informed prior to the sitting that there was such an arrangement and you would deal with the matter outside this Extended Public Committee, EPC.
Chairperson, on a point of order: I wish to rise and indicate that there is nothing in the Rules that says what the order of the speakers must be. I also wish to indicate that we informed all parties of our order of speakers as the ANC. Therefore, I think that's not a point of order. Thank you very much.
Thank you, hon member. [Interjections.] Calm down, hon members!
Chairperson, may I address you, please?
I will recognise you to address me. I now want to get back to the Deputy Chief Whip of the DA. We also want to get on with the debate, please. So keep it short.
Thank you. When hon Schneemann says that he informed all parties, I beg to differ, sir. On what basis does he inform? There should be consultation, and there was none of that. And, on what Rule?
Hon member, take your seat. In terms of this matter I have made a ruling that we will continue and that we will deal with the matter outside of this EPC. It's a matter that the Whips must discuss in the Chief Whips' Forum, where they meet. That is where it must be resolved.
Chairperson, with respect, I have a point of order on the same issue. There is a convention that we actually consult each other. We followed that convention when we wanted to change the order yesterday. We duly informed the parties and the presiding officer after consultation.
The problem that hon Kalyan has raised is precisely the problem that we were advised of. So, this is not acceptable. Thank you.
Hon Kilian, thank you. The same applies to what your input is. Hon McGluwa, I don't think your point of order also relates to this, because you would be repeating it.
No, it's not a point of order, but I would like to address you.
On what point do you want to address me?
House Chairperson, I would like to know whether it's permissible for the Police Commissioner and the staff to send notes to hon Van Wyk. They are the police for the community and not for the ANC.
Hon member, that is not a point of order, and it's also not a point of being permissible or not permissible. Please take your seat. [Interjections.]
I am used to this kind of noise once I start speaking, not before I speak! Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Minister and hon members of this House, this year the SA Police Service celebrates 100 years of its existence. We congratulate the family in blue in their centenary celebrations. As citizens of our beloved country, we celebrate 20 years of democracy. The centenary celebrations of the SA Police Service, SAPS, and the budget debate provide us with the great opportunity to look back at the SAPS, to take stock and look forward to where we are going.
I want to take the last three decades under review. Let us start in the 1970s. How many of us know that it was only in 1972 that women were allowed to enlist for the first time on the same basis as men in the SA Police? In 1984, there were 842 police stations in South Africa. The SA Police, SAP, had 44 696 members, of whom more than half, 23 206, were from the white population. The rest of the population groups made up the other 21 490. In 1985, we had 1,4% police officers for every 1 000 members of the population. In 1986, the SA Police consisted of a uniformed branch, a detective branch and security branch, with no crime prevention arm. The SA Police was a semi-military organisation.
The role of the SAP was one of upholding the illegitimate apartheid government through the preservation of internal security, the maintenance of law and order and the investigation of offences. The emphasis was on the preservation of internal security through the maintenance of law and order. Very little time, money or resources were used to fight crime. The National Party government enacted legislation to strengthen the relationship between the police and the military. After that the SA Police was heavily armed. The SAP was granted extraordinary powers to quell what was coined "unrest" and to conduct counterinsurgency activities. In 1983, the SAP's power to search and seize without a warrant was extended to the whole country.
From this it is clear that the SAP, at that point in time, was used as a political tool, like most available state machinery at that point in time, to uphold an unjust, oppressive system. Because of this the majority of our people saw the SA Police as their enemy. This is an important aspect ... [Interjections.]
Order! Hon members, you are drowning out the speaker. I can't hear what she is saying. [Interjections.]
So were half of your caucus. Because of that, the majority of our people saw the SA Police as their enemy. This is an important aspect to remember, as changing this perception and transforming the SAP from an undemocratic force into a service that treats all people, irrespective of race or class, equitably was one of the biggest challenges of a democratic government. [Applause.] Since 1994, a number of key milestones were achieved to move towards a democratic, people-orientated service. After 1995, the previous 11 agencies, the SAP and the 10 homeland agencies and nonstatutory forces were rationalised and incorporated into the new SA Police Service, the new SAPS. The numbers of the new SAPS increased to 140 848 members.
This brought its own challenges in terms of different levels of training, various organisational cultures and the transformation from a semi-military force to a service that is community-orientated. The very people that were previously treated as the enemy of the SAP now played a pinnacle role in a policing philosophy based on community involvement.
In 1995, a seven-point plan was announced to improve the effectiveness of policing. The plan focused on the redeployment of resources, human and material, improving visible policing, providing police stations in all the high-crime areas with the required logistics so that their effectiveness can be improved, and arresting the most wanted suspects. The border control functions were restructured and the use of technology was enhanced. A policy of setting tougher bail conditions for serious crimes was also adopted.
In February 1995, a 10-point community policing programme was launched, which was the first of the two to transform the police. This included, amongst others, the implementation of effective labour relations. Schedules and shifts were rotated to ensure that black members are not assigned inferior jobs. At the same time a redistribution of resources took place to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources, and a move from overresourced police stations to underresourced stations took place.
On 1 December 1995, a new rank structure was introduced that heralded a visible and concrete break with the militaristic police culture of the past. In May 1997, the moratorium on police recruitment was lifted. At the end of October 1997, a newly adopted code of conduct was signed for the first time. In 1999, the transformation and integration of the SAPS received a boost with the appointment of several new commissioners aimed at creating a representative police management.
In November 2001, sector policing was introduced in 145 focal points. The aim was to improve reaction time and visibility. This approach has already reaped benefits. In 2002, the SAPS launched the e-docket system. We will talk more about that. We now have the best and most modern forensic science laboratory in the world. [Applause.]
In 1972, women were allowed, for the first time, to enrol in the SAPS on an equal basis with men. [Applause.] In 2013, through the leadership of the ANC, the SAPS is led by a woman. [Applause.] In 2000, 8,36% of officials were female; today we stand at 20,38%. [Applause.] We need to recruit even more women as they will change the approach towards policing.
Our police service made significant gains in gender equality. Today, under the ANC-led government, we can celebrate five female pilots in the SAPS Air Wing ... [Applause.] ... three female operators in the Special Task Force; 29 female forensic science analysts, and not one, not two, but 14 female bomb technicians in the explosives unit. [Applause.]
In 1984, there were a mere 848 police stations in South Africa. Under the leadership of the ANC, in 2013, we have increased this number to 1 133 police stations across South Africa. [Applause.] In 1985, the ratio between police and population was 1,4 per 1 000. Twenty years after democracy, under this ANC rule, the ratio is one operational police officer per 303 members of the public. [Applause.] This is one of the best ratios in the world today.
In 1994-95 the budget of the SAPS was R7 billion. In 1999, the private security industry's profit was more than the total of the SAPS's budget. Today, under the leadership of this ANC, we are considering a budget of R67 billion. [Applause.] It is important, although uncomfortable for some, to acknowledge these gains and to celebrate these victories.
I will be dealing with the administration programme and the visible policing programme. Hon Sibiya will deal with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate; hon Lekgetho with protection and security services and crime intelligence; and hon Molebatsi with detectives.
The administration programme received the largest increase of all programmes and has a budget of R17,3 billion. According to the budget allocation in this programme, a significant increase in the spend in the building environment was highlighted. We welcome the plan to increase the spend on police accommodation and would urge the department to speed up the refurbishment specifically of police barracks. We have visited some of these and they are in a general state of disrepair. If we expect the best of our police personnel, then we must address their living conditions.
The ANC welcomes the Minister's announcement that human rights training will be reintroduced in the basic training of police recruits. The ANC believes that this should form the basis of all training within the SAPS. Our constitutional democracy is underpinned by a Bill of Rights. That is the type of policing that we expect. We believe that it forms the basis for the police to understand the way that they should police. They are implementers of the law. They are not beyond the law, neither are they the law.
Every incident where a police officer acts outside the boundaries of the law is totally unacceptable. It endangers the lives of the law-abiding police officials and breaks the trust of the public in the SAPS, and through that undermines our fight against crime. The ANC will support every effort that is made to rid the SAPS of this small number of ill-disciplined and rogue officials and awaits the Minister's announcement in this regard in great anticipation.
For years we have been pleading for proper career planning in the SAPS. It is our firm belief that a process where a discussion with new recruits takes place and where their career is planned with them is what is required. We welcome the recruitment-to-retirement approach. This is a long overdue development if a professional police service is what is aspired to.
Professionalism is what drives excellence in service delivery. The SAPS has to inculcate in their daily practice that they have to respect the people they are policing. Professionalism means that they do not shout back, swear and utter profanities or assault members of the public. Professionalism means that they do the job with the dignity it deserves and with the minimum fuss. It is not to show the public that we are in control. Apartheid policing made that mistake. We dare not follow.
The wellness of our police officials remains a big concern. Minister, we welcome the announcement that you've made as well in this regard in your speech. We would like to urge much more focused attention on this issue. Wellness should be seen as an engaging process, not an event culminating in a celebration of a kind. Our crimes are violent. Our police officials must get the necessary psychological support to deal with this. We should do away with voluntary counselling and put in place compulsory counselling for officials who were exposed to violent scenes or involved in shootings. This is but one of the elements of the system that must be in place if we want to promote ethical and professional policing.
The other areas that need to be strengthened are training, promotions and enhancing accountability, such as the disciplinary system and performance management. These need to be transparent, accessible and known to all. The execution thereof needs to be equitable and fair. That will boost morale and enhance pride and promote professional conduct.
The information technology environment within the SAPS remains a serious concern. This environment must assist the SAPS to work smarter. It remains a challenge and seems to be open to manipulation. The projects that are of concern in terms of processes, deliverables and actual implementation are, amongst others, the e-docket system, the Central Firearms Registry's database, Terrestrial Trunked Radio, Tetra, and Property Control and Exhibit Management, PCEM.
We welcome the project's milestone targets for the Criminal Justice System and Integrated Justice System, IJS, but we would have liked to see measurable targets for the department's information and communication technology and information system plans. We believe that this environment deserves special attention and close scrutiny.
At this point, I would like to address private companies doing business in this field. It is unacceptable that they propose excessively expensive and sometimes outdated solutions to the SAPS in particular, and government in general. South Africa is not the dumping ground for obsolete solutions and equipment. The State Information Technology Agency, Sita, must be more vigilant in its engagement with big business. From the ANC we would like to welcome the Minister's announcement of a commission to investigate unscrupulous firearm dealers and whether any collusion between them and officials in the department took place. If it's true, they need to face the might of the law.
Visible policing is the biggest programme in the SAPS and accounts for 46% of the budget, which is R31,5 billion. This includes subprogrammes, crime prevention, border security and specialised interventions. This establishment has a funded establishment of 107 300 members. This programme and these members are at the coalface of crime-fighting. They represent the public, are the face of the SAPS and are often the first point of contact. This responsibility must be stressed to officials in this environment.
One of the issues of concern that remains in this environment is the number of station commanders still not fully trained. Command and control at station level impacts on the effective utilisation of human and capital resources and the perception of service delivery. The ANC would like to urge the Minister to ensure that a pool of trained station commander candidates is available. Appointments can then be made from such a pool of candidates as and when positions become vacant.
Sector policing remains the preferred policing policy for crime prevention. We know that where sector policing is properly implemented and managed, it bears results. We need to see a concerted effort and managed drive to fully implement sector policing.
A matter of concern is the fact that the Resource Allocation Guide is outdated and that it impacts extremely negatively on the ability to deliver services at a station level. The Resources Allocation Guide is based on outdated census data of two censuses back and thus resource allocations do not keep up with the growing communities. We welcome the move to upgrade it, but would plead that it be done on a more regular basis so as to prevent a gap that in the end will be insurmountable.
Building new police stations, and the location of those stations, remain a challenge. The ANC would like to urge the Minister of Police to reach an agreement with the Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Minister of Human Settlements whereby, when new town developments are planned, they include planning for the police. Police stations and their location must form part of early planning and be integrated into new developments.
The Civilian Secretariat for Police is functioning under its own legislation. The secretariat Act allows the secretariat to play their role as a civilian oversight body, as envisaged in the Constitution. We can see the difference already, but we believe there is room for further improvement. They are all going to get calendars from me for Christmas.
The ANC would like to see the Civilian Secretariat for Police become a source of excellence and be a leading authority in the country, on the continent and in the world in developing forward-looking policy on policing. The ANC would like to commend the monitoring and evaluation unit in the secretariat for the work they do. We call on the SAPS to see the secretariat as an important partner in providing security to our country.
Fighting crime can never be the duty of the SAPS alone. We know that many of our crimes are committed while offenders are under the influence of narcotics. Society as a whole should actively become involved in the fight against crime. We need to address the root causes of crime - the social ills that contribute towards crime. We need to embrace the fight against crime. As we united around hosting a successful Soccer World Cup as a nation, we need to stand together again. Together, we can and we shall do more.
Allow me to thank all the members of the committee. Despite the showmanship that we will see here today, the majority of members work together with commitment to oversee the work of the department and to put forward the best possible legislation. To the support staff of the committee, my sincere appreciation for your hard work, more often than not after hours. Your commitment does not go unnoticed.
Minister, we also welcome your announcement around the review of the National Key Points Act. We need to address apartheid legislation. Consolidation of the national key points needs to take place so that a clear picture around this can emerge and so that we can take away this final tool that the opposition would try to use in playing politics.
I want to start with the issue that hon Kohler-Barnard raised. Hon Kohler- Barnard sounds like a stuck record; one stuck on the same issues all the time. When we had the study groups, we discussed who was going to say what, and it was predictable.
Since the media was not covering the Guptagate issue, let me cover it while we have the opportunity. The opposition was given the opportunity to debate the issue after the release of the report. That is a fact. They didn't want to do it. They jumped the gun. Now they are complaining that they didn't see the report before the debate. [Applause.] It is worrisome that when we stand at this podium, we deal with half- truths. The issue of adult basic education was explained to the committee. It was explained that the majority of those people were previously employed as private security officers that were guarding police stations and are now in the employment of the police, and they need to undergo Adult Basic Education and Training. They are not police officers, and the member knows that. [Interjections.] Did you hear any suggestion and any forward-looking proposal coming from the member on how to improve policing is South Africa? I did not.
At every station the crime statistics are available. We encourage the community to go there and talk to the station commanders. They are being put up on the walls of the station, the danger areas, statistics, etc. It is public knowledge. We are not going to allow the opposition to play politics with people's lives.
We can see that the elections are around the corner. I would like to urge the men and women in blue to go and read every last debate of this budget and see if the hon Kohler-Barnard ever had a good word to say about the police before this debate. It has never happened. Today was the first time that she saluted the police. It was for the first time, but nothing positive came out of it. [Applause.] [Interjections.]
Madam, may I address you on a point of order? I submit that the hon member at the podium is misleading the House, and I would like you to rule on that matter, please. [Interjections.]
That is not a point of order. Please sit down, you are wasting our time.
It is a point of order. She is misleading the House.
Will you please sit down, madam! [Interjections.]
Point of order! [Interjections.]
Please sit down. Would you continue, hon Van Wyk.
The fact of the matter is that the hon Kohler-Barnard is also misleading the House when she talks about the contingency funds. She knows that they are not being put aside. We were in the same committee that took Sita to task for not having contingency funds to deal with the building issue. We were in the same committee. Government departments are supposed to do that, and a department like the Police more so than any other department in the country. She prefers to sensationalise the issue. [Interjections.]
Oh yes! Thanks for reminding me; thank you very much. It is really not necessary for hon Kohler-Barnard to get involved in the ANC's appointments. It is really not for her to get involved. In fact, it is embarrassing to me that she does that.
Those police officials within the SAPS that make a difference to the quality of our lives do so because it is their calling. It is not just a job for them. [Applause.]
I would like to take a moment to salute every man and woman in blue to whom this is not just a job, those who put their lives on the line on a daily basis, and who are willing to take a bullet for each of us. My call to those police officers to whom this is a calling is to take ownership of the SA Police Service, to rid themselves of the few bad apples and to wear the uniform with the pride that it deserves. [Applause.] The ANC supports this budget. I thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Ministers here, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, hon Chairperson, law enforcement in South Africa is primarily the responsibility of the SA Police Service. The SA Police Service is established in accordance with the provisions of section 205 of the Constitution of South Africa. However, Cope is ashamed at how this constitutional requirement is violated by the very police service which is supposed to uphold it.
Hon Minister, this does not mean that there are no good policemen and policewomen out there. In fact, many policemen and policewomen in this country are committed to their work. They risk their lives to do this noble job. But I am afraid their good work is overshadowed by those who have become a law unto themselves.
Here is a selection of a few amazing, worrying accounts. The Goodwood Police Station commander, Siphiwo Hewana, was found guilty of tampering with the docket for the convicted fraudster Tony Yengeni after he was arrested for drunk driving in 2007. Hewana is now serving four years in jail, whilst Tony Yengeni walked free.
Former National Police Commissioner and former president of Interpol, Jackie Selebi, was convicted on corruption charges in July 2010 for receiving at least R120 000 from alleged crime syndicate boss Glenn Agliotti. Selebi got 15 years in jail, but Glenn Agliotti is still moving around a free man.
Former National Police Commissioner, Gen Bheki Cele, was found to be an active participant in the R2 billion lease scandal. He breached procurement procedures by taking part in the flawed leasing of two buildings owned by his friend Roux Shabangu, thanks to the investigations and findings of Judge Jake Moloi's board of inquiry. The current Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, is caught up in a complicated investigation of police recklessness that led to the death of 34 miners in one afternoon.
The current bill of R7 billion in litigation charges against the department by the South African public alone speaks volumes about the poor citizenship relationship that the SA Police Service suffers. That is shocking. The same police are being sued for R1,4 million for arresting a student who expressed his dislike for the noise being made by the motorcade of the President's blue light brigade.
The attitude of the general in charge of visible policing, Gen Mothibe, when he came to the portfolio committee recently in Parliament, was one of obscene arrogance - a type of degenerate attitude not suitable for this kind of work. But he remains in charge of the most powerful and biggest part of policing in this country, that is, visible policing.
It is a recommendation that the National Commissioner should resign and make way for a senior, knowledgeable and experienced police person with a proven legal and policing background. [Applause.] Command and control under this new leadership has disappeared. Minister, you know that yourself.
From today, 42 000 administration staff from the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, Popcru, are on strike to force the Minister to honour a salary agreement signed back in 2011 at the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council. Why have you not done anything about it, Minister? Your actions promote wage inequality and poverty amongst your very own members. Yet millions are spent on things that have nothing to do with serving the communities, for example building homesteads for one person, using public money.
Constitutionally, the SA Police Service, first and foremost, is meant to prevent, combat and investigate crime, to maintain public order, to protect and secure persons and property, and to uphold and enforce the law. Nowhere does the Constitution promote revenge or barbaric acts as raison d'tre, nor does it condone the display of corrupt practices, from street bribes to high-level international white-collar crime, by members of the police from a level committed by the likes of the Jackie Selebis of the world.
Cope observes with consternation how the department has become so vulnerable to political influence and orders from above, not least from the likes of former Commissioner Bheki Cele right up to the dreaded "Houdini" called Number One.
According to the 2011 Amnesty International Report, the SA Police Service was involved in cases of torture, electric shock and suffocation of witnesses and suspects, assaulting detainees with batons, fists and boot- clad feet. Police torture and physical abuse allegedly occur during house searches, arrests, interrogations and detentions that sometimes result in death.
According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Ipid, there were 966 cases, compared to 920 reported in 2010 - a 5% increase - of reported assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm committed by our police. Officers convicted of these charges were given sentences ranging from verbal to written warnings. The Ipid also reported 46 complaints of rape committed by police, compared with 24 complaints in 2010.
Andries Tatane's death in Ficksburg is a case in point. Minister, the public order policing sector needs retraining. The public order policing in this country is creating a situation where the relationship between the police and the communities is damaged. No police in this country will ever be able to fight crime without the assistance and participation of communities. It is important that you do something about it. I repeat, do something about the attitude of, firstly, visible policing in particular, and public order policing in general. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Minister and the honourable House, I will start with the selective understanding and thinking of some of the members who speak from this podium. The dignity and reputation of the police are in tatters at this moment. However, not all police officials are involved in causing this. Only a few police officials are very bad indeed and should be rooted out once and for all. However, the behaviour of the rogue ones seems to overshadow that of the good ones who are doing their job. Therefore, it has to be done immediately.
Their actions have reversed any strides that have been made to improve the reputation of the police. However, it appears that these bad apples are unconcerned as long as they are employed in the Police Service. Minister, I am saying this because of litigation costs against the Ministry. Their behaviour has cost the state a lot of money, reportedly R14 billion or more. These legal actions are increasing alarmingly and the Minister of Police is accountable for all these cases against officials involved.
Ngikhuluma nomhlonishwa; wena uyamthikazisa. [I am addressing the hon Minister and you are distracting him.] [Laughter.] The amount of money paid out by the Department of Police is escalating annually and it is taxpayers' money - it is not paid by the rogue policemen and women individually. It is time that after the litigation processes have been completed, those police personnel who have been found guilty should pay back the costs of what they have been found guilty of.
Regarding the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Ipid, while Parliament has done its work to improve the workings of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, it has come to nothing, because their recommendations are not implemented by the police. The Ipid can only make recommendations; they cannot force the police to implement their recommendations.
Police members who are sent to supervise marches and service delivery protests should be carefully monitored to ensure that we never again have a situation where demonstrators lose their lives as a result of police action. Where police action does result in a person's death, the National Prosecuting Authority, "amaBhungane", must prosecute. Prosecution must be improved because if people have died, somewhere, somehow somebody has to be found guilty. We must do everything to find somebody guilty. It cannot be that they are all are freed.
The Ipid must improve its investigations so that perpetrators of wrongdoing are punished. I am saying this with regard to a case in the Free State, where all the police were found not guilty and were released. However, the fact remains that someone died after police intervention. This needs to be corrected immediately. In addition, any municipal police who are involved in these acts should be investigated as well.
Pertaining to the decision by the National Development Plan, NDP, the Department of Police must start immediately to implement the resolutions of the NDP that do not cost money. Professionalising the police and streamlining the appointment and promotion of policemen and women should be done now. This department must act on these recommendations before it runs out of time as there are problems in the police leadership as we speak.
When, as different parties, we recommend to government that the National Commissioner, or anybody else as leader of the police, should be a police person, we say so with the understanding of how policing works. Police personnel always respect on another.
Mhlonishwa, ahlakaniphile amaphoyisa; awazona iziphukuphuku. Abantu abahlakaniphile amaphoyisa. [Hon Minister, the police are very knowledgeable; they are not stupid.] Although the work of civilian secretariats has improved, the department needs to do more, especially on the legislation part of the secretariat. Streamlining the White Paper on Police and the introduction of Bills in Parliament has to be done with speed. The section for monitoring and evaluation should be secured, because of the sensitive work it performs.
Regarding the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, PSIRA, a board should be fully appointed in order for it to perform properly. Its work should be professionalised and board members should know that they are accountable to Parliament through the portfolio committee. I urge the Minister to employ full-time staff in the Ipid instead of their acting as though they are in Hollywood. I thank you. [Applause.]
Thank you, hon member.
Ngiyabonga Sihlalo. Ngiqhubeke? Ngiqhubeke, Sihlalo? [Thank you, Chairperson. Should I carry on? Should I carry on, Chairperson?]
Should I carry on? [Laughter.]
Siyabonga. [Thank you.] Thank you. [Laughter.]
Oh! Thank you. [Laughter.] [Applause.]
I would like to call upon the hon Sibiya. It is her maiden speech and we wish her well.
Hon Chairperson, my speech is on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Ipid.
Ngaleziya zikhathi sasiyibiza nge-Independent Complaints Directorate; akusenjalo-ke, sekuyi-Ipid manje futhi iyaluma. [It was formerly known as the Independent Complaints Directorate but not any more, it is now known as the Ipid and it is doing a much better job than before.]
Hon Chairperson, Minister and Deputy Minister of Police, all the guests in the gallery, Members of Parliament, the mandate of the Ipid shifted significantly in the previous financial year as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act enabled the directorate to shift away from being a complaints-driven organisation to prioritising the investigation of serious and priority crimes allegedly committed by members of the SA Police Service and the municipal police service.
In the past, the directorate focused its investigations largely on the SAPS, but is currently increasing its focus on investigating members of the municipal police service concerning alleged criminal offences.
Sihlalo omuhle nohloniphekile, uyayizwa ukuthi iphatha omasipala manje? Makungatholakali sekuthiwa isifikile i-Ipid izophenya bese kuzwakala abanye sebethi, kahle kahle ngiliLungu lePhalamende, ngimkhulu kabi noma mina ngiyimenenja yamasipala, noma imeya ngakho-ke ngicela ukuthi lingaphenywa ilungu elithile. Uma kuqhutshekwa nokumphenya kuzokonakala kungahle kuphele nesikhundla sakhe ePhalamende. Akusebenzi kanjalo! Ayiphenye i-Ipid ibabophe futhi! [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Hon Chairperson, do you now understand that it also applies to municipalities as well? We do not expect cases where the Ipid is supposed to investigate and then Members of Parliament and municipal managers refuse to be investigated, for fear of being removed from their seats. It does not work like that! The Ipid must investigate and make arrests when it is necessary! [Applause.]]
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act now places a strict responsibility on national and municipal police services to report matters that must be investigated to the directorate, and thereafter the implementation of disciplinary recommendations based on the investigations is monitored.
In the 2013-14 budget, the directorate was given R19,1 million extra, specifically to build capacity within the directorate. In this financial year, the directorate was allocated a total amount of R217 million. A key recommendation of the committee in the previous financial year was that the budget of the directorate needed to be rearranged in order to ensure that more funding is made available for the filling of vacant posts.
The directorate took this recommendation on board and reprioritised its budget to bring it in line with its core strategic priorities. The review of its organisational structure is now reflected as a key strategic objective and the alignment of the budget to the strategic priorities is clearly indicated through the increased percentage allocations for the compensation of employees, as well as an increased percentage share allocation of the total budget to investigations, which forms the core business of the directorate.
Siyazi-ke ukuthi lo hulumeni waKhongolose oholwa uBab' uNxamalala uyangena emadolobheni aze angene ngisho emakhaya. Sicela ukuthi-ke Ngqongqoshe kuphuthume ukuthi kube namahhovisi ezindaweni zasemakhaya ukuze phela i- Ipid isebenze kahle ingafiki nje isijuluke iconsa, kuthiwe phela ivela ePitoli kodwa kutholakale ukuthi isuka khona la eduze, ezindaweni zasemakhaya. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[We all know that the ANC government led by Mr Nxamalala [clan name] serves towns as well as rural areas. We therefore urge you, Minister, to fast- track the establishment of the Ipid satellite offices in rural communities to facilitate the carrying out of its mandate. We would not want them to pretend that they operate from Pretoria when, in fact, they do it from local offices. [Applause.]]
Although the directorate has made significant advances, it is still coming to grips with its expanded mandate and some key concerns remain. The key question regarding the directorate is whether the actions taken to realign its budget with its key priorities, especially in building its investigations capacity, are adequate to ensure that all vacant posts can be filled and additional staff hired.
The directorate currently faces a critical challenge to fill senior management positions in the organisation. These include the appointment of a permanent executive director of the directorate, and also the appointment of its nine provincial heads. We are aware that the Minister is in the final stage of the process of appointing the executive director. We are keenly looking forward to the announcement. It is not difficult to understand that the extended periods for which acting personnel are appointed in the directorate create instability within the directorate.
The upscaling of the skills of investigators is not yet adequate. The level of training of investigators to fulfil their new role is lacking. The lack of uniformity of investigative procedures is seen as a threat to the effective operation of the directorate and delivery on its mandate. In saying this, we welcome the development of a training manual for investigators to complement the existing standard operating procedures and investigation guidelines. We also look forward to seeing further progress in years to come. The expanded mandate of the directorate has been implemented and a number of high-profile cases have been successfully investigated by the directorate.
The lack of an infrastructure plan setting out the building needs of the directorate is a challenge to the effective operation of the directorate, especially the establishment of satellite offices. The directorate currently has an insufficient number of satellite offices. This is compounded by the fact that the ones that exist are located in large cities. The directorate has no satellite offices in rural areas, which makes the vital services offered by the directorate inaccessible to a large portion of our population. Currently, the directorate is finalising two satellite offices, one in the Western Cape and one in Mpumalanga. Two others are being prioritised.
The Department of Public Works must assist the directorate to locate appropriate locations for offices in rural areas in an effort to bring the services of the Ipid closer to our communities. This will also assist investigators in alleviating the burden of travelling vast distances to attend crime scenes. Travelling to rural sites is time-consuming and, more than that, the time lapse between reporting of a case and investigators arriving at the crime scene impacts negatively on investigations as the integrity of the crime scene can be compromised. The directorate needs to develop a clear strategy on the opening of satellite offices in rural areas, and in doing so the accessibility to rural as well as urban communities can be ensured.
The directorate should become more proactive in its investigations and rely less on alleged reports of offences by members of the national and municipal police services, members of the public or media.
Siyavuma Gatsheni, njengoba usho ukuthi ahlakaniphile amaphoyisa; ahlakaniphe ngempela. Noma ngabe uyisidlakela esingakanani, ayakubopha. Uma uthi awuyazi i-Ipid, hamba uye e-Cator Manor ufike ubuze khona ukuthi yini i-Ipid. Siyabonga. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[We agree with you, Gatsheni [clan name]; as you said, the police are highly skilled, they are indeed. They do not care how powerful one is and they do arrest all those that commit crime, regardless of who they are. If you do not know anything about the Ipid you should pay a visit to Cato Manor and ask them about it. Thank you. [Applause.]]
The directorate has made several significant advances since the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act came into operation last year, but it is still faced with some challenges, which are as follows: firstly, the directorate must build its capacity; secondly, the retention and capacitating of staff at all levels, especially at a management level, must be addressed; thirdly, concerns over upscaling of investigators must be addressed; fourthly, satellite stations must be prioritised in rural areas; and lastly, the directorate must become more proactive in its investigations.
Bese sishilo ukuthi mabangaphazanyiswa futhi masiyeke ukuthi kube yithi esima entabeni sithi, siyoke siwabone la maphoyisa noma sithi siyoke simbone lo hulumeni. Akukwazi ukuthi kube yithi esisho njalo. Amaphoyisa akakwazi ukusebenza uhulumeni engekho kanjalo nohulumeni ngeke asebenze engekho amaphoyisa. Kufanele sisebenze kanyekanye; yiphoyisa ngapha, yiPhalamende ngapha. NjengamaLungu ePhalamende kufanele sengamele ukusebenza kwamaphoyisa, ngeke siwengamele singekho eduze nawo. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[We have already emphasised that their investigations should never be disturbed or hampered. We should never sit back and observe from a distance if they or the government will be able to perform their duties in a proper and satisfactory manner. We cannot be the ones to do that. The police cannot perform their duties without any assistance from the government, and vice versa. We all have to work together; that is, the police and Parliament. As Members of Parliament, we have to monitor the work of the police and we cannot do that from a distance. [Applause.]]
We, as the ANC, urge all parliamentarians to work together with the Ipid, without any political interference and intimidation, but with respect. Let's make sure that we fight the demons of crime, corruption and fraud. Together, we can do more; together, we will support the Ipid; and together, we will make things happen. The ANC supports this Budget Vote. Thank you. [Applause.]
Hon Chairperson, hon Ministers, Deputy Ministers and hon members, while the violence craze that is razing our country is firmly rooted in our history, South Africans are, however, fortunate in that the protests have thus far not followed the trend evident in other parts of the continent, where people form resistance groups such as rebel groups and militias to topple governments.
Nevertheless, the warning signs are there. The degree of discontent among the poor with the inept government is abundantly clear. With service delivery protests a daily occurrence, it is regrettable that government responds to them in much the same way the apartheid regime did. The government sends the police in to brutalise and suppress protests, and as a result we find ourselves in a difficult situation, where the police force appears to be at war with the citizens of its country.
Exacerbating this situation is the fact that a large number of our police members are ill equipped and poorly trained. A significant number of our police members do not know the law, while some do not even know how to take down statements properly. These problems have repercussions for the entire justice system. The question remains, has the time not come for government to align its police doctrine with our constitutional values, which respect the right to life? The UDM supports the budget. Thank you. [Applause.]
Chairperson, to all Ministers and Deputy Ministers present, the Acting Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ms A Van Wyk, hon Members of Parliament, the National Commissioner of Police and your team, MECs of community safety and liaison from provinces - I see the MEC from my own province, Ntate Khompela, is here - ladies and gentlemen ... [Applause.] ... we are almost at the end of a very remarkable, yet consuming second decade post-apartheid, both as a country and as the SA Police Service. It is time for this ANC-led government to take stock of how far we have gone in achieving the national agenda of improving the quality of life of all South Africans, especially the historically disadvantaged communities of South Africa.
It is not only about taking stock of progress, as mentioned by my chairperson, Ms Van Wyk. We are equally identifying our challenges and shortcomings as the Department of Police collectively. Most probably, the most blatant challenge of all that we are facing as a nation is the high level of substance and alcohol abuse, rape, sexual abuse and violent crime against the most vulnerable of our society, children, women, the elderly and the disabled. Indeed, that challenge informs our shortcomings as a nation.
Contrary to the saying that "when all has failed, government becomes the last line of defence for any societal challenge, including fighting and preventing crime", as the police leadership we are saying that the community must become the alpha and omega of the defence line for the most vulnerable. It is the people closest to the community, particularly, who commit crimes against our most vulnerable people and it is difficult to detect and detain the perpetrators as long as the community is distant from the police.
That is why, as far back as 2001, His Excellency President Jacob Zuma, in his capacity then as the Deputy President of South Africa, had this to say:
The apartheid history of this country left behind a legacy of a serious breakdown of the moral infrastructure of our society ... The lack of respect for the sanctity of human life for the next person, private property, disregard for the law of the land, lack of parental control over children, and the general blurring of the lines between right and wrong are continuing to plague our communities ... Moral regeneration is not something which can be left to either government or religious communities alone ... We require the participation of all sectors in this campaign ...
... against child rape and sexual violence in South Africa.
The reality is that most crimes committed in South Africa are crimes arising out of factors over which the police have little or no control whatsoever. Factors which stimulate crime, such as poverty, unemployment, gender inequality, and the decline in the standards of morality or moral fibre, have nothing to do with the core mandate of the police per se. This means that a broader notion of safety and security must be sought, a security that is not solely defined in policing terms, but a security of the most vulnerable that is defined in human terms.
Indeed, all our departmental initiatives and programmes to combat and prevent crime point in the direction of humanising the combating and prevention of crime. And this approach is not far removed from the founding policy document of my party, the ANC, entitled: Ready to Govern.
From the onset, the first democratically elected government founded its policy of safety and security on one basic principle: a national security that acknowledges political, economic, social and environmental dimensions. It resolved that:
Underdevelopment, poverty, lack of democratic participation and the abuse of human rights are regarded as grave threats to the security of the people.
Our departmental programmes as the SA Police Service are thus geared towards national security that builds a nation that is coherent, cohesive and co-ordinated towards a better life for all. The Department of Police is therefore zealously active in all the relevant interministerial committees especially the interministerial committee on alcohol and substance abuse, as well as that on the causes of gender-based violence, both of which are led by the Department of Social Development under Minister Bathabile Dlamini.
In the IMC on the root causes of gender-based violence, the SA Police Service is providing specialised national management services in prevention, protection, response, care and support through the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.
As the Department of Police, we are aware that one of the most important spheres of work to curb child abuse and any other youth-related crimes is the school environment. Since educators spend a great deal of time with abused children, who are their learners, it becomes important that educators know how to manage these children in the schoolyard and in the classroom. In this instance, the Minister of Police and the Minister of Basic Education signed a protocol implementation agreement in April 2011 to partner for the promotion of safer schools and to prevent the involvement of young people in crime.
Already, out of 25 474 schools, 16 810 have been linked to police stations with functional safe school committees since the protocol has come into effect. The two Ministers, the Minister of Police and the Minister of Basic Education, have now delegated to their respective Deputy Ministers to formally launch this protocol.
The launch will sensitise parents and inform schools, the media and all other parties with a vested interest in school safety to know about the programmes. It will also highlight the responsibility of both the SAPS and the Department of Basic Education in promoting an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching. We are partnering and collaborating with the Department of Home Affairs and the Film and Publication Board by facilitating the reporting of child pornography cases for investigation.
The SA Police Service is also actively collaborating with the Department of Social Development and the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Sanca, through the Safe Schools Programme to address drugs, crime and violence in primary and secondary schools. SAPS schools- based crime prevention co-ordinators visit schools and facilitate awareness- raising on the negative impact of drugs and gangsterism. Hon Khompela, I have seen this working in your province in a small town called Koffiefontein, which I visited.
In my own constituency in the Free State, under the leadership of the Premier of the Free State, hon Magashule, we have recently launched a Free State Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy that calls for a multi-agency approach in addressing crime. During this launch, I had an opportunity to engage with youngsters who are addicted to drugs. It is sad to inform you, though, that two of these youngsters are already dead due to mob justice or vigilantism.
Re a kopa. Re a kgalema. Re bua le setjhaba, re re uwele hle, le se ke la inkela molao matsohong. Ha re sebedisaneng le sepolesa. Polao yona ha se yona; marumo ha a be fatshe. (Translation of Sesotho paragraph follows.)
[We are pleading. We are cautioning. We are speaking to the nation to say, please do not take the law into your hands. Let us work together with the police. Killing is not the way to go; lay down your arms.]
Our festive season operations for the 2012-13 financial year have indicated the trend of a high number of arrests owing to drug and alcohol-related crimes, with the Western Cape registering the most affected, at 3 511 arrests. It is clear, then, that the visit the President paid to Eldorado Park was spot-on. Drug-related crimes are on the increase. The biggest increase on the ready docket rate was recorded at a 17,01% increase.
As the department, we are thus hopeful that these integrated programmes with the Department of Social Development and the SA National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence will begin to educate parents on how to spot the signs of drug addiction and gang association, so that they are able to recognise if their child is involved in drugs and with gangs, and be able to seek appropriate intervention.
With these programmes, we are constantly reminding parents, families and educators that they are unwittingly "front-line officers" in identifying children or youth who could potentially pose a risk to the peace and order of our communities. They are indeed the alpha and omega of the defence line.
Only three days ago, a 14-year-old youth who was suspected of being under the influence of a certain substance almost wiped out his entire family. With the help of the community, this young suspect was arrested immediately after killing his mother and two siblings, and leaving his grandmother fighting for her life in hospital. Indeed, the leadership of the SA Police Service welcomes this "working together" with the police to apprehend the suspect of this shocking crime. We also hope that this partnership will conscientise the community of the extreme conditions the police work under.
Let us all imagine the psychological condition of those police officers that were the first to respond to the crime scene of a hacked family. Let us all take home the fact that the work of a police officer, as alluded to by the Minister, is often traumatic, dangerous and exhausting as a result of being part of or having witnessed a traumatic act such as murder, rape, brutal assault or the remnants of a brutal and unspeakably violent murder.
It is for this reason that, as the management of the SA Police Service, we are not only seeking to improve the working environment, but also the general health and wellness of the police officer. Yes, hon Van Wyk, the department is busy reviewing a policy that will make trauma counselling compulsory for all police officers. At the moment, we all know that it is voluntary.
We are also pleased to announce that the promise made by the President way back on 5 September 2011, at the Police National Commemoration Day, that an SAPS Education Trust Fund would be established to provide for the families of those members who died on duty, especially their children's educational needs, is yielding good progress.
The SAPS Education Trust Operating Structure is now in place and the verification of the database of deserving beneficiaries has been done. The SA Police Service Education Trust will be officially launched on 25 July 2013 as part of the Mandela Month activities. As the SA Police Service leadership, we want to ensure that the dependants of these fallen heroes are not destitute.
We have a duty as the Ministry of Police to ensure that the quality of life of all our members is improved equally, whether active, retired or deceased. In this case, we are still continuing with realising the project that I announced in last year's Budget Vote debate.
We are on course to establish an SAPS Non-Statutory Forces Project Task Team with the support of the SA National Defence Force Integration Project Office, to fast-track the implementation of promotion, full recognition of service, pension and privileges, leave days and skills development of those former NSF members who were integrated within the SA Police Service.
Coupled with this SAPS-NSF Project, is the intake of 1 586 SAPS reservists who were trained during the last financial year and permanently employed as security guards. A further intake of 570 is planned for the 2013-14 financial year to address the outstanding security needs of the SAPS.
There are high hopes for linking the successful implementation of the above two programmes with the SAPS centenary celebrations. Policing in South Africa reached a milestone 100 years of existence just last month. The SAPS centenary celebrations will also serve as a means to recognise contributions made by the police officers in the fight against criminality in our country within the democratic dispensation.
One of the visible achievements made by the SA Police Service since the advent of democracy is its recruitment, as mentioned by the Minister. It is befitting, then, that the SA Police Service has won the bid, with the full backing of our government, to host the 51st International Association of Women Police Conference to be held from 22 to 26 September 2013 in Durban, the first of its kind in Africa. Since becoming a member of the IAWP in 2010, the SAPS have been actively taking part in IAWP programmes of uniting and raising the profile of women in criminal justice and international agencies. [Interjections.]
(Mrs F Hajaig): Hon Deputy Minister, your time has expired.
Gen Mothiba, we are pleased with what you are doing. Keep up with the good work. We have managed various international and national activities because of you. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Voorsitter, ek het verneem dat die agb Minister vanoggend met die trein gery het van Khayelitsha en Gugulethu, ensovoorts, en ek aanvaar dit is 'n beeldbou-aksie wat hy onderneem het sodat die publiek van Suid-Afrika vertroue kan kry in die SA Polisiediens.
Ek wil vir die agb Minister s dat hy elke oggend met die trein kan ry, maar een insident van polisiebrutaliteit skaad die beeld van die polisie sodanig dat die publiek nie vertroue kan h in die polisie nie, ten spyte van daardie manne en vroue in uniform wat hul bes doen om misdaad te bekamp. Ek wil vir die agb Minister s dat daar basies net twee hoofredes vir polisiebrutaliteit is. Dit is swak dissipline en swak opleiding. As u nie daaraan behoorlik aandag gee nie, gaan ek vir u s, gaan daar nog Marikanas wees wat die beeld van nie net die polisie nie, maar van Suid- Afrika, sal skaad. U sal dringend aandag daaraan moet gee, agb Minister.
Die agb Minister het hier gekom en ges dat die statistiek in terme van ons misdaad 'n afname toon. U is reg - in sommige daarvan - maar die misdaad wat die meeste gevrees word deur mense in Suid-Afrika is rooftogte by woonhuise. Dit is waar hulle veronderstel is om veilig te wees saam met hul vrouens, kinders en gesinne. Sedert 2005 is daar 'n toename van 78,5% in die gevalle van rooftogte by woonhuise. Ons moet nie onsself laat mislei as daar sommige geweldsmisdade is wat statisties afneem nie. Die mense van Suid-Afrika voel onveilig in hul eie huise.
Dan wil ek vir die agb Minister s dat hy dringend sal moet ingryp, want dit is ook deel van die oplossing van misdaad en die totale strafregstelsel in Suid-Afrika. In die portefeuljekomitee het ons gehoor dat 22 247 speurders meer as 'n miljoen sake het wat hul moet ondersoek. Die gevolg is dat slegs 55% van dossiere werklik opgestel word om hierdie geweldsmisdade te ondersoek. Daarvan is minder as 15% hofgereed, waar 'n verhoor kan plaasvind. Dit beteken 'n misdadiger het 'n ongeveer 85% kans om in Suid- Afrika weg te kom met misdaad. Ons sal daadwerklik moet optree, agb Minister. Anders s ek vir u dat u die beeld van elke lid van die polisie skaad. U skaad die beeld van Suid-Afrika. Mense voel onveilig, en hulle sal nie vertroue h in die SA Polisiediens nie. Ek dank u. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans speech follows.)
[Mr P J GROENEWALD: Chairperson, I learned that the hon Minister travelled from Khayalitsha and Gugulethu and so on this morning and I accept that it was an image-building exercise which he undertook in order to boost the trust of the public in South Africa in the SA Police Service.
I would like to tell the hon Minister that he can travel by train every morning but one incident of police brutality damages the image of the police in such a way that the public cannot trust the police, in spite of those men and women in uniform who do their best to fight crime. I would like to tell the hon Minister that there are basically only two reasons for police brutality. It is poor discipline and poor training. If you do not pay proper attention to it, I can tell you, there will be more Marikanas, which will not only damage the image of the police but that of South Africa. You will have to deal with it urgently, hon Minister. The hon Minister came here and told us that statistics regarding crime indicate a decrease. You are partly correct- but the crime which people in South Africa fear the most is robberies at residential premises. Their homes are where they are supposed to be safe together with their wives, children and families. Since 2005, there was an increase of 78,5% in the incidence of robberies at residential premises. We should not allow ourselves to be misled if there is a decrease in certain violent crimes statistically. The people of South Africa feel unsafe in their own homes.
I would also like to tell the hon Minister that he will have to intervene urgently, because this is also part of the solution to crime and for the entire criminal justice system in South Africa. In the Portfolio Committee we learned that 22 247 detectives have more than a million cases to investigate. The result is that in reality only 55% of dossiers are compiled to investigate these violent crimes. Of these, less than 15% are ready to be used in court should a trial commence. That implies that a criminal has an 85% chance of getting away with crime in South Africa. We need resolute action, hon Minister. Otherwise I say to you that you are damaging the image of every member of the police. You are damaging the image of South Africa. People feel unsafe, and they won't have trust in the SA Police Service. I thank you. [Applause.]]
Chairperson, the ACDP believes that the time has come to review the qualifications of those who set standards for recruiting, appointing, and promoting police managers and officials.
The scandals resulting from the shocking behaviour and attitude of some of our police officers have eroded the trust and confidence that our people should have in both the SA Police Service and the Metro police. Management systems are weak, because some people have been appointed to senior positions regardless of their lack of expertise, abilities, and experience. Promotions and appointments driven by an obsession to meet affirmative action targets are perpetuating negligence and poor service delivery, and are eating away at the credibility of the police in general, as well as undermining the morale of officers who are committed to excellence, such as those whose commitment and diligence have resulted in the imposition of life sentences on some criminals. We salute them for that.
Whilst there are many excellent police officers in the SAPS, there are also too many officers that should not be in the service. That is why the ACDP believes there should be a review of the standards for recruiting, appointing, and promoting police managers and officials. Poorly considered policing strategies have resulted in the Marikana massacre, the Andries Tatane murder, and the dragging of a Mozambican immigrant by a police vehicle, which contributed to his death in custody. No amount of budget increases, we believe, will restore the badly tarnished image of the SAPS. We believe what is needed in the police right now is not more money, necessarily, but the restoration of integrity, diligence, professionalism, transparency, and accountability.
There are, and there should be, no cover-ups for those who break the law, including those who are well connected. Secrecy around the Guptagate scandal is not helpful either. We need answers, Minister. Who authorised the number of police personnel and cars that were used to provide protection for the Gupta wedding guests, and at what cost? This whole thing stinks of corruption that should be thoroughly investigated and dealt with effectively.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Ipid, has to justify its need for an increased budget. Its performance was found wanting this past year to the extent that the acting chairperson said, out of frustration, that the quality of investigations stank. The Ipid has to a large extent abdicated its responsibility to investigate complaints against the police. They have relied on the police to probe their own members, with predictable results. The acquittal of the police officers who shot and killed Andries Tatane shocked and left many South Africans angry and feeling that justice is failing our people. The suspicion that there was collusion between the SAPS, Ipid and the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, to frustrate the prosecution of the police officers in this case has not disappeared. [Time expired.]
Hon Speaker, hon members, ladies and gentlemen, the Crime Intelligence environment received the smallest increase to its allocation within the police budget. It received an increase of R124 million in the 2013-14 financial year, which allocated this environment a total budget of R2, 71 billion.
The spending focus over the medium term will be on enhancing overall capacity and aligning functions with the organisational profile of the Crime Intelligence Division. The bulk of spending in the programme goes towards the compensation of employees, as Crime Intelligence functions are labour-intensive.
The increased focus on capacity-building within this environment is welcomed, as it is becoming increasingly evident that this environment is not functioning optimally and does not support crime investigation as it should. The strategic priorities of the Crime Intelligence Programme were expanded in the 2013-14 financial year. The commitment made towards appointing Adv Hamilton Maenetje, and towards combating serious crimes - drug and people-smuggling syndicates, as well as human trafficking - is welcomed.
The proliferation of drug abuse has a negative impact on our communities and is largely responsible for the violent nature of crime in our country. Our communities must be rid of this evil. The increased focus on human trafficking syndicates is welcomed, as trade in human beings is equivalent to modern-day slavery, which can never be accepted.
The expansion of strategic priorities in the crime intelligence environment also led to many performance indicators being set with classified targets. The classification of measurable targets does not allow for effective oversight of the crime intelligence environment. The lack of measurable performance indicators makes it increasingly difficult to oversee the performance of this environment. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly clear that the crime intelligence service is not functioning optimally. This is made clear through various issues that are identified during engagement with the department on its budget and performance plan.
The main challenges identified during these engagements are: firstly, the high incidence of criminality within the environment; secondly, the lack of proper vetting of personnel operating within this environment; and thirdly, the high vacancy rate and number of acting personnel in the unit. These are crucial threats to the optimal functioning of the crime intelligence service and need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
The issue of criminality within this environment is a serious concern. During the previous financial year, a total number of 101 members were suspended on serious criminal charges. These included fraud, robbery, theft, murder and sexual assault. We cannot allow the situation to continue, and the department needs to address this issue as a matter of urgency. Decisive action must be taken against members of the service who regard themselves as being above the law.
An investigation should be launched into the high rate of criminality in order to identify the reasons for this high rate of criminality within this environment. Criminality in our police must be stamped out. It must be made clear to members that criminality can no longer be tolerated.
Bothata bo okediwa ke gore bangwe ga ba a tlhatlhobiwa; ba dule ka soba la nnalete. Gore ba le sekete se le sengwe go ba le dikete di le robedi ba falotse ka soba ba nnale ke tlhoba boroko. (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.) [The situation is exacerbated by the lack of vetting of some members; some passed by a small measure. Only 1 000 out of the 8 000 passed by a small measure and this is not a good indication.]
One thousand out of 8 000 passed the vetting, and that is not good.
Lefapha le tshwanela go ipaakanya le go thusa ba bangwe. [The department must make its own repairs and assist others.]
As mentioned earlier, the crime intelligence environment has a high vacancy rate, which is amplified by the fact that about 80% of the personnel within this environment are employed in acting positions. This invariably leads to instability and uncertainty within the unit. A permanent head must be appointed in order to bring stability to the crime intelligence environment and to bring capacity within it.
In its Ready to Govern document, the ANC committed itself to eradicating underdevelopment, poverty and abuse of human rights, as my Deputy Minister has said, because these are grave threats to the security of people, and invariably give rise to conflicts between individual communities and countries. They threaten the security of states as well.
The Protection and Security Services programme remains the smallest programme in the department and receives less than 3% of the department's total budget. The Protection and Security Services programme was allocated a total of R1,96 billion for the 2013-14 financial year. The protection service environment is doing well in auditing our National Key Points and strategic installations. This is a crucial responsibility and is executed with great care.
The service understands the importance of maintaining the integrity of the security of government buildings and prides itself on doing more than is legally required of them. This environment is, however, not beyond reproach. One of the biggest challenges within this environment is the prolonged placement of members at static security points.
These members are not afforded adequate career development opportunities. The department should take greater care to effectively manage the career development of all members of this service, especially in the protection and security service environment. These members cannot be expected to guard gates for the duration of their entire careers as it is unfair and demoralising for them. Although we understand that there are some opportunities available to them, it is not enough and we urge the service to look into this situation and uplift deserving members. Crime Intelligence and Protection and Security Services received the smallest monetary allocation of the SAPS budget. These men and women in blue work undercover most of the time. Their aim is not to be seen, but to protect and inform. They operate in the background and shadows. This covert nature of their job does not mean that we should also not see them while they are doing their work in the shadows. We must see them as members of the service, and do our duty to oversee their performance. The service must also see and develop these men and women, who put their lives at risk to protect us on a daily basis.
The ANC welcomes the emphasis by the Minister on his 10-point Plan. The ANC supports the drive by the Minister to develop a policing model that is intelligence-driven. The ANC supports the Budget Vote. I thank you. [Applause.]
Chairperson and Minister, since 2009, the SA Police Service's Crime Intelligence has enjoyed headline status in the local and overseas news media for the wrong reasons. This negative publicity has tarnished the image and undermined the pivotal role they have played in the prevention of crime in this country.
The greatest issue was the investigation of Richard Mdluli as head of the SAPS's Crime Intelligence, which also resulted in the implication of Gen Lazarus and other senior members in fraudulent actions. Crime Intelligence officers are at all times expected to be professional and honour their code. They must realise that they are not above the law and that they are accountable to Parliament and to the people of South Africa.
Minister, many of the apparently fraudulent actions might not have happened if the SAPS's Crime Intelligence was properly legislated. Another constraining factor is the current budget allocations of the SAPS's Crime Intelligence. The budget allocated amounts to R2,7 million in 2013-14, but that is not where it ends. There is also a secret fund budget, with an undisclosed amount that is not accounted for publicly. Now, this is the problem. The budget under Vote No 25: Police is exposed to comprehensive oversight, a process driven by the Portfolio Committee on Police, whilst the secret fund's budget falls within the ambit of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence. It is within this budget that fraud was uncovered, but only dealt with after the damage was done.
Crime Intelligence is currently regulated by two pieces of legislation, namely the South African Police Service Act, Act 68 of 1995, and the National Strategic Intelligence Act, Act 39 of 1994. The latter also governs the State Security Agency and the Defence Force Military Intelligence. However, Crime Intelligence operates within unique circumstances, through mainly covert operations. As such, they are not regulated through national instruction, as is the norm within the SAPS, but rather through standard operating procedures that are classified. These documents direct the procedures of Crime Intelligence members to follow when they execute their duties, and not being able or in a position to see what the SOPs entail makes it very difficult to ascertain whether the operations are adequately regulated. Therefore, effective oversight is doubtful.
Future abuse in Crime Intelligence must be prevented. Minister, what is needed is appropriate legislation to regulate the functioning of Crime Intelligence. I am thus of the opinion that it is now the right time for Parliament to pass legislation in this regard. I thank you. [Applause.]
Motlotlegi Modulasetilo, Ditona le Batlatsatona, badirimmogo ka nna mo Palamenteng le Lefapha la Sepodisi, puo ya me e a go itshetlega mo mafokising kgotsa matseka. [Hon Chairperson, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, my fellow Members of Parliament and the Department of Police, my speech will be about detectives.]
Hon Chairperson, last year was declared the Year of the Detective by the hon Minister of Police. This was preceded by years of intensified focus placed on the upskilling and resourcing of the detective environment of the SA Police Service. This led to tangible improvements in the quality of investigations conducted by the Detective Services, as well as improvements in the forensic science environment. These successes must be applauded.
Due to the increased resource allocation to the Detective Services over the last couple of years, this environment is now being stabilised in respect of resource allocation. The Detective Services were allocated R805 million more in the current financial year, and received a total budget allocation of R14,3 billion. Spending in the Detective Services programme will be prioritised for the provisioning of specialised equipment and training for detectives to enhance the process of investigating crime. Also, focus will be given to the implementation of an integrated criminal justice system to ensure single, co-ordinated management of the continuum of criminal justice and performance across utilisation in the South African criminal justice system utilisation.
Tau e senang seboka, e siiwa ke none e tlhotsa. Le rona fa re ka dira mmogo, re ka kgona. Le, ke lenaneo le disenyi di lebelelang gore re a reng ka bosenyi, mme di itshiamise gore di nne kwa pele ga mapodisi. (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[Charity begins at home. If we can work together, we can achieve more. This is a programme that makes criminals curious about our thoughts regarding crime and they always improve their skills so that they can be a step ahead of the police.]
This will essentially direct funding to the Forensic Services and broader Detective Services environments with regard to crime scene management and further resourcing of Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units.
A recurring challenge in the detective environment has been to establish the actual number of detectives. This is due to various organisational challenges and information systems used by the department. Although we understand these challenges, the department must be urged to address the problem as a matter of urgency. The actual number of personnel is essential for proper planning and resource allocation. Subsequent to engagement with the department, a verified number was made available, and the personnel strength of the Detective Services of the Police is currently at a figure of 25 844 investigators, supported by 3 151 Public Service Act personnel. The provisioning of this number is welcomed.
The recruitment of detectives should be focused on ensuring the highest possible quality and calibre of detectives to be appointed to the detective branches of the service. This focus on professional marketing of detectives as a career of choice within the SA Police Service should be reflected in quality-focused recruitment criteria and assessment, which should be defined in policy.
The proper protection of the crime scene is essential for effective investigation. Training on crime scene management should form an integral part of the basic training curriculum of the service. Training on crime scene management should also be rolled out to all existing members of the SAPS, including visible policing members.
Motlotlegi Modulasetilo, re le ANC re a re, dikgolegelo tsa rona di tletse e bile di a phophoma. Batshwarwa ga ba ikise kwa kgolegelong, ba tshwariwa ke mapodisi. Ka jalo, re a ba akgola. Ke ka moo Freedom Charter e reng go tla nna teng tshireletso le kgomotsego. Mo bekeng eno ya Boset?haba ya Tshireletso ya Bana, ke rata go bua ka lefokisi kgotsa letseka le re le tlhokang. Dibeke di ka nna tse thataro tse di fetileng, kwa Naboomspruit, Leloko la Palamente eno, motlotlegi Maggie Mashishi, o ne a timetsa mogala wa letheka kwa marekelong. Ka ntlha ya manontlhotlho a a dirilweng ke letseka le le bidiwang Lefotenente Sam Ledwaba, mogala oo wa letheka o fitlhetswe kwa Windhoek. Go tloga kwa Naboomspruit go fitlha kwa Windhoek. Re batla matseka a a tshwanang le le ke buang ka lona le. Re rata go mo akgola fa a ntse a thusana le Mogenerala Lebea. (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[Hon Chairperson, as the ANC we say our prisons are full and overcrowded. Prisoners do not send themselves to jail, they are arrested by the police. We therefore compliment the police. That is why the Freedom Charter says there shall be security and comfort. During this National Child Protection Week, I would like to talk about the kind of detective we need. Three weeks ago in Naboomspruit, a Member of this Parliament, hon Maggie Mashishi, lost her cellphone at a mall. Due to the great job done by the detective called Lt Sam Ledwaba, that cellphone was found in Windhoek. From Naboomspruit to Windhoek. We need such detectives. We would like to compliment him, together with Gen Lebea.]
A defined career path and retention strategy should be developed for detectives and must be implemented as a matter of urgency. We are losing experienced detectives because of the lack of upward mobility opportunities while remaining a detective. This retention strategy may include delinking salary promotion from rank promotion. We will consider addressing the promotion policy in the White Paper on Policing, and having this form part of future legislation when the SA Police Service Amendment Bill is tabled before Parliament later this year. We feel that promotion should be clearly linked to training, qualifications and experience, and should be transparent to all members of the service. Additional incentives to be considered to improve retention may include a scarce skills allowance and the reintroduction of the clothing allowance for court appearances. Manageable caseloads and more effective resourcing could also assist in the retention of detectives.
The Resource Allocation Guideline must be brought in line with the current needs of detectives at station level. All detectives should have access to basic resources in order to function effectively. These include sufficient vehicles; computers, specifically laptops with 3G cards; and cellphones. Detectives should be trained to utilise these tools effectively as investigative aids. We hope that the newly developed asset registry approach of the department will ensure that detectives are resourced at station level, and that resources are not funnelled away from the stations, where they are most needed.
The criminal environment in which the service is required to operate is becoming increasingly sophisticated and reliant on technology. A lack of understanding within the police and detective services regarding the concept of modernisation is a threat to the effective operation of the service. Technology must be embraced and used to the advantage of the police. The Forensic Services laboratories of the SA Police Service have advanced significantly over the past couple of years. The completion of the state-of- the-art laboratory in Plattekloof is applauded. The backlogs in analysis have been eliminated, and the services of the laboratories are used increasingly. The ballistic testing of firearms is welcomed. The increased caseload is being managed well. As we will soon start with the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill, or DNA Bill, we have confidence in the ability of the service to effectively implement DNA analysis.
We, as a nation, are struggling to come to grips with the violent nature of crimes against the most vulnerable groups in our society. Efforts to curb violence against women, children, people with disabilities and the elderly must be intensified. The investigation of all sexual offences must be prioritised and Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units must be increased and adequately capacitated.
We must continue to empower all victims of crime by empowering them with the legal resources available to them when they become victims of crime. The policy on the victim empowerment centres needs to be further developed to ensure that child and women-friendly spaces are created at all police stations to assist with increased reporting of crimes against women and children. A crucial concern remains the excessively slow roll-out of the e-docket system. The fact that this system was launched in 2002, more than a decade ago, and is currently rolled out to only 79 stations out of more than 1 000 police stations is a cause of great concern. Since the 2004-05 financial year almost half a billion rand has been spent on this system, with very poor results. It is not feasible that the system could take another decade to complete, as the technology will be obsolete by that time. The department should increase their efforts to fast-track this system, as it was developed to assist detectives to investigate crime more effectively, as part of the revamp of the SA criminal justice system and integrated justice system.
Agb Voorsitter, die ANC stem saam dat die aanbring van 'n nuwe stelsel moeilik is. Die ANC glo egter dat waar die stelsel reeds bestaan, speurders aangemoedig moet word om dit te implementeer. Die misdaadadministrasiestelsel sal uiteindelik uitgefaseer word en vervang word met die e-dokumentstelsel. Speurders moet nou reeds opgelei word in die gebruik van die nuwe stelsel. Hulle behoort ook van die voordele van die stelsel bewus gemaak te word. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Hon Chairperson, the ANC agrees that the introduction of a new system is very difficult. The ANC, however, believes that where the system already exists, detectives must be encouraged to implement it. The Crime Administration System will eventually be phased out and be replaced with the e-Docket System. Detectives must be trained now already in the use of the new system. They also need to be made aware of the advantages of the system.]
E re ke bue jaana le bomabina go tsholwa ka fa letsogong la me la molema, sesinyi fa se tla go tlhasela, ga se kitla se go botsa gore a o wa mokgatlho wa ANC kgotsa DA kgotsa ofe; se tla tlhasela. Ka jalo, ga go tlhokege gore re tle mo seraleng re batle go bonwa. Bosenyi ga bo na melelwane ya sepolotiki. Fa re dirisana mmogo le sepodisi sa rona, re ka fokotsa bosenyi mo nageng. (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[Let me address the opposition to my left: When a criminal attacks you, he or she does not ask if you belong to the ANC or DA, they just attack. Therefore, there is no need for us to come to the podium just to be seen. Crime does not have political boundaries. If we work together with our police we can reduce crime in our country.]
We agree that change is difficult, but the detectives must be encouraged to use the e-Docket System where it is implemented. The Case Administration System of the SA Police Service, commonly known as CAS, will be phased out in due course and replaced with the e-Docket System. Members need to be trained in the use of the new system and to be made aware of the significant advantages of the system.
Motlotlegi Modulasetilo, re le ANC, re dira boikuelo mo set?habeng go thusa sepodisi ka tshedimosetso mo dikgetseng. Fa o tshaba, e ya kwa go molaodi wa lekala o ye go mo naya tshedimosetso. Fa Molaodi wa Lekala a sa dire sepe, fetela kwa pele kwa go molaodi wa sedika o mo neele tshedimodetso. Le ena fa a sa dire sepe, e ya kwa go Komi?henara wa Porofense o mo neele tshedimosetso. Le ena fa a sa dire sepe, e ya kwa go Komi?henara wa Boset?haba. Fa a sa dire sepe, e ya kwa go Tona, o tla bona thuso. Fa re ka kopanya matsogo, re ka kgona go lwantsha bosenyi. (Translation of Setswana paragraph follows.)
[Hon Chairperson, as the ANC we humbly request our public to help the police with information on cases. If you are afraid, go to the nearest station commander to give out the information. If the station commander does nothing, then go to the regional commissioner with the information. If he or she does not do anything also, go to the provincial commissioner with the information. If he or she also does nothing, go to the National Commissioner. If she also does nothing, then go to the Minister, you will get help. If we work together, we can fight crime.]
Our detectives have made significant advances, but we want to see an increase in the detection and conviction rates of crimes across the board. Quality investigations will be followed by successful convictions. Although we appreciate that the convictions of alleged offenders are outside the control of detectives, every effort must be made to present evidence in a way that supports the case and encourages a conviction.
E re ke bue le motlotlegi George - ekete ga a yo - gongwe o ile kwa kgotlatshekelo. [Let me talk to hon George - it seems as if he has left - maybe he went to court.] [Laughter.]
Under your chairmanship, a professional national commissioner was appointed and we fully supported it. [Applause.] Is this another sign of confusion in Cope?
To hon Ntapane, I am extending an invitation to come to the committee and participate properly.
Kwa bokhutlong bagaetsho, ntetleng ke bue jaana ke re ... [In conclusion, let me say ...]
Die ANC ondersteun hierdie begroting, en ek dank u. [The ANC supports this budget, and I thank you.] [Applause.]
Thank you, Chairperson, and thank you to the members for their contributions to the debate, which I think has generally pointed to some of the defects that have to be addressed and some that are being addressed.
Perhaps the first thing that I need to start with relates to the issue of police who are brutal towards members of the public and who do not conduct themselves in the way that their own code of conduct, training, philosophy and the Constitution of the Republic states. Nobody would excuse those who act in that fashion, which is why, whenever such things happen, there is no condonation from the side of government. I think we need to make that point firmly and without excuses.
We also need to say that when people are involved in public protests, they have a responsibility. Our own Constitution allows people to exercise their democratic right, but it's very clear that they should do so unarmed. I think that, as members of the committee, we should emphasise that important point as well, so that we shouldn't be seen as condoning members of the public who conduct themselves contrary to what the Constitution and the laws of the country say with regard to the way it should be done. The centrality of the partnership in the fight against crime cannot be overemphasised. This came across in the debate as members were making their points. Indeed, the police cannot alone claim success in the fight against crime without the involvement of the public, because part of the reason why successes are registered is because of the way members of the public have taken part in ensuring that we rid our country of the scourge of crime.
We need to emphasise the point of fighting the drivers of crime, including the abuse of drugs, alcohol and so on. With regard to those matters, let us emphasise the point that they are not security matters. They are the root causes of the crimes that we see in South Africa, and those root causes are founded in the socioeconomic conditions that we should be addressing.
There is no way that we would want to deal with problems of our kids becoming hooked on drugs by sending in the army, for instance. That is not the solution. The solution would be found in a multidisciplinary and a multi-agency approach, as the example of Eldorado Park shows. In fact, Eldorado Park was supposed to be second on the list, because we were emphasising the point in the matter of Cape Town, which is for us to deal with the problems on the Cape Flats and elsewhere in the Western Cape; we need to follow this approach. This is the best approach. [Applause.]
We also need to look at the point made by the hon Stubbe on the issue of crime intelligence and the regulation of that environment. In saying that, perhaps the hon member knows that Cabinet has agreed to the White Paper on policing, to further look into some of the issues of policies relating to policing per se. Beyond that, the amendment to the SA Police Service Act of 1995 is going to be of help in ensuring that where there are loopholes, including in crime intelligence, as has been identified, they are dealt with.
The hon Molebatsi has dealt with the issue raised by the hon George about the need for professional policemen or policewomen. I don't need to waste my time on that, but the fact of the matter is that I was tempted to listen to hon George, until I remembered that he is the former chairperson of this very portfolio committee and a former Deputy Minister in the cluster. He has just now realised - now that he has crossed the floor - that this is actually what is needed.
We need to heed what the chairperson of the portfolio committee said. Or rather, perhaps before that we need to hear what the hon Ndlovu, Gatsheni ...
Siyakuzwa baba ... [We hear you, sir ...]
The R14 billion that you were referring to is a contingency within the area of liability. But the point that you are making is that, even if that is the case, this is a matter that should be cut down to size, particularly as it relates to litigation.
The chairperson said that the police must respect the public. This is what we have been saying and will continue to say. Members of the public should know that when they go to the police station, they are going to be served with respect by members of the police.
The last points relate to what hon Kohler-Barnard said. On the first point that relates to bulletproof vests, let me say that perhaps the mistake about the lack thereof has to do with the member bringing a very old statement to the House, one that she had prepared some years ago. We don't have problems with regard to bulletproof vests. There is no problem with that. [Interjections.] It is an outdated statement, which is not actually helping. [Applause.] [Interjections.]
We also heard the member pleading for the chairpersonship of the portfolio committee. I need not say anything about that because ... [Interjections.] ... she will have to work to ensure that her party is elected to government. It's only then that she will be the chairperson. I sympathise with her as she really wishes to be the chairperson ... [Applause.] ... but we can't do anything about that. [Interjections.]
We have people working in the Ministry. There are old ladies, ladies and other people, and when we ask them how they are working, they say that they don't even know about their salaries because somebody gets their salaries for them and then gives them to them. We have taken the decision that from now onwards, if we like their services, we will pay them directly.
If that is fighting labour broking, then so be it, but there is no way that you will be visiting injustice upon those workers who do their best to ensure that what they are given to do is indeed done. [Interjections.] [Applause.]
Hon Kohler-Barnard talked about the police being ineffective and made all kinds of destructive comments, yet at the end she says that she salutes them. [Interjections.] How bizarre and patronising is that? The issue here is that the police ... [Interjections.] ... Don't panic! The issue here is that the police will continue to do their job. We have emphasised that those who are not doing their job will face the full might of the law, even within the police. Thank you very much. [Applause.]