Chairperson, the South African police have the great responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of all persons and property within our borders. Their task is often dangerous and, for the most part, thankless. The IFP wishes to say thank you to the South African policewomen and men of our country. Thank you - your work and sacrifice do not go unnoticed. Unfortunately, neither do your shortcomings, and we would like to take this opportunity to highlight those which we feel are most pressing.
Police officers are often placed in harm's way, and have the sanctioned use of lethal force if necessary, to protect either themselves or civilians. This has led to the shoot-to-kill slogan being used by the department and adopted as a somewhat standard practice within the police force. We hope this does not degenerate into a shoot-first-and-ask-questions-later policy, and that all police members are effectively trained and made aware of the situations in which lethal force may or may not be used. This is very necessary in order to protect our most vulnerable from becoming innocent casualties in the event of shoot-outs between the police and criminals.
Discipline, discipline and more discipline must be inculcated within police ranks. South Africa is not a police state in which police officers are above the law. Officers who transgress the law and who abuse their powers must be identified immediately and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. To this end, the ICD must be given the necessary legislative backing to enable them to operate effectively within their assigned mandate. The citizens of the country deserve to feel safe and to be safe, when dealing with a police officer.
The IFP believes that all people are equal, and as such sees no difference in the significance of a farmworker or a farm owner being murdered. Both are horrific acts of violence and both must receive equal attention from the police investigative units. No one life is more important than another.
Ukufakwa kwamaphoyisa KwaNongoma kanye nakwezinye izindawo ukuba ahlukumeze abantu ebusuku akwamukelekile neze mhlonishwa. Kungani amaphoyisa afike emzini yabantu ebusuku engaziphethe izincwadi zokuphenya, avuse abantu abahambise nqunu phambi kwemindeni yabo, uma engatholi lutho angaxolisi ngakwenzileyo? Ngabe amaphoyisa asasetshenziswa yini ngokwezombusazwe mhlonishwa na? Kwenziwa yini lokho kwenzeke kithina 'bantu abampisholo' na? (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[The deployment of police in KwaNongoma and other places to harass people at night is unacceptable, hon Minister. Why do the police go to people's houses at night without search warrants, wake them up, parade them naked in front of their families, and not even apologise about what they have done when they do not find what they were looking for? Are the police still being used as a political tool, hon Minister? Why is this still happening to us "black people"?]
Another issue we want to raise is that of the relationship between the department and the stakeholders' union. The animosity between the two must be mediated upon so that the police force can always function at an optimal level in the execution of their mandate - no harassment, please.
Besides ill-discipline, the police force cannot function correctly if it is not properly equipped. Some police officers do not have bulletproof vests, yet they are expected to place themselves in harm's way. Police crime scene investigators have outdated or damaged equipment, or no equipment at all, to assist them in their forensic investigations. Some police stations have no operational patrol vehicles.
Why is it that some police stations are favoured above others and seem to receive greater logistical support than others? All police stations should be equal in terms of logistical support, which should be based upon demographics. The IFP tasks the Minister to address this aspect with his portfolio committee as a matter of urgency.
Why is it that a certain charge office is being moved out of the crime- infested area here in Woodstock, hon Minister? Moves such as this do not inspire public confidence in the police service. Why is it that two suspected murderers are released from a charge office in Pretoria because they were not formally charged? Are our policewomen and men being properly trained? Who is at fault when situations like this occur?
We are looking forward to a safe, secure and incident-free World Cup. Our police force say that they are ready for the World Cup, and the IFP says it is ready to support them in their efforts. Make our country proud, make our country safe, and make the World Cup safe. I thank you. [Applause.]
HON MEMBERS: Hear, hear! [Applause.]