36/1/4/1/200900129
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 990
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 AUGUST 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 12 - 2009)
Date reply submitted : 14 September 2009
Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
Whether the SA Police Service has any special protection initiatives to
protect (a) farms and (b) rural communities; if not, why not; if so, what
are the relevant details?
NW1213E
REPLY:
(a) & (b) Yes, the South African Police Service is directing all efforts
in enhancing Rural Safety through day-to-day policing in all rural areas,
including farms and the broader rural community. This is being achieved
through the implementation of Sector Policing and enhanced utilisation of
reservists. A holistic and integrated Rural Safety Strategy was also
developed by involving all role players from the rural community. Rural
Safety Plans to support the implementation of the strategy at operational
level, as part of an effective operational system, was also developed.
Ensuring the safety of the rural community is a priority within the South
African Police Service.
A Priority Committee dealing with Rural Safety was established at national
level that is represented by all role players in the rural and farming
community, including the South African Police Service, Farm Workers Unions,
Organised Agriculture and the Departments of Labour and Land Affairs.
Strategies to address security and safety issues regarding the total rural
community are discussed and shared with a view to identify shortcomings and
challenges in order to effectively address crime in an integrated manner.
This structure is duplicated at provincial level.
Incidents of violent crime aimed against the rural communities are
monitored to establish trends and new developments. This information is
shared and communicated to be addressed at provincial and station level by
implementing proactive measures.
Further to this, the farming community, including farmers and farm workers
are also invited to participate in the Community Police Forums at station
level, as well as in the Community Police Sub Forums, as part of Sector
Policing. A problem solving approach to crime is adopted during the
Community Police Sub Forums meetings and the farming community is invited
to share security concerns at these meetings to be jointly addressed by the
South African Police Service.
Rural Protection Plans are in place in all nine (9) provinces as a tool to
assist police stations, in preventing crime in the rural and farming
community. Stations are being instructed to conduct rural and farm visits
on a regular basis to address farmers and farm workers on safety issues and
to create awareness.
Crime Prevention Units at stations are expected to do the following on a
daily basis:
* Create a multi disciplinary operations model to prevent crime,
involving all role players at local level;
* Optimally combat crime by means of implementing pro active and
integrated policing approaches, such as sector policing;
* Conduct visible policing by means of patrols to eliminate the
desire and opportunity to commit crime in an area;
* Reduced levels of public fear through higher visible policing;
* Ensure intelligence driven patrols in sectors and hot spots;
* Obtain effective Crime Intelligence through the Crime
Information Officer;
* Distribute Crime Intelligence to patrol officials on a daily
basis;
* Conduct surveillance;
* Trace and arrest wanted persons;
* Determine crime tendencies;
* Compile crime pattern analysis;
* Conduct intelligence driven operations;
* Conduct road blocks based on analysis and information;
* Liaise with all role players and encourage participation in
Station Crime Combating structures at police station level;
* Enhance Public Safety Awareness; and
* Work closely with other institutions such as SANDF, Traffic
Departments, Security Companies, Local Government etc.
Reply to question 990 approved by Minister