Category: General

The Portfolio Committee on Police has advised the Civilian Secretariat of Police and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to speed up the amendment of the SAPS Act, as a means to clarify roles and responsibilities across the police value chain, and to strengthen policing.

Committee chairperson, Tina Joemat-Pettersson said she is concerned by the lack of uniformity in South Africa’s policing system [and] this could be clarified through the amendment of the SAPS Act to bring it in line with the Constitution.

“It is on this basis that we have urged the SAPS management to expedite the amendment of the Act to ensure that no gaps are visible in the fight against crime. From this amendment, a clear framework managing the relationship between SAPS and community policing forums must be set out,” Joemat-Pettersson said.

The committee held a follow-up session with the SAPS and the Western Cape MEC of Community Safety Albert Fritz, on issues relating to Community Policing Forums (CPFs) in the Western Cape on Tuesday.

During a meeting, the committee said it is concerned that the relationship between SAPS and CPFs remains challenging, and that this negatively impacts on collaborative crime-fighting.

The committee called for urgent interactions aimed at resolving the relationship and codifying it to ensure sustainability.

The committee welcomed the announcement that 147 of 151 police stations in the Western Cape have concluded their CPF annual general meetings, and called for the election process to be finalised to ensure that all 151 police stations in the Western Cape have links to communities they serve.

Joematt-Pettersson said this enhances community participation in the fight against crime in the province.

“We can only win the war against crime if we work collaboratively with a clear goal of ensuring peaceful and safe communities,” the chairperson said.

Standardise training for CPFs

Regarding training, the committee highlighted it concerns regarding inadequate training of CPFs, which affects their ability to discharge their responsibility.

The committee has called on SAPS to standardise training and ensure that CFPs are adequately capacitated to play their critical role in the fight against crime.

Joematt-Pettersson said that standardisation of the relationship between SAPS and CPFs will also assist in planning and resourcing this critical pillar of the fight against crime.

“The committee considers the CPF and the community policing strategy a cornerstone to fighting crime, and efforts must be expanded to ensure their effectiveness. To this end, the committee expects regular reports on the implementation of the community policing strategy, as well as measures to improve the relationship between SAPS and CPFs,” she said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The South African Post Office (SAPO) has warned beneficiaries of the R350 Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant not to pay for a spot in the queue.

The Post Office said it has become aware of instances where self-appointed “queue marshals” ask customers who visit their branches a fee for a place in the front of the queue.

“No SAPO employee or other individuals have the right to ask beneficiaries to pay any fee to be serviced or to receive preferential treatment by jumping the queue. Such practices are illegal.

“Customers are advised not to pay the fee demanded by any SAPO employee, queue marshals or any other person requesting such a payment, and should consider laying a charge of bribery and corruption at their nearest police station,” SAPO said in a statement.

SAPO said there is close cooperation between the Post Office’s Security and Investigations Unit and the South African Police Service.

SAPO said it does not have jurisdiction over the behaviour of members of the public outside Post Office property.

“Anybody who becomes aware of the postal crime, or a crime apparently committed by an employee of the Post Office, should report it to the Post Office’s toll-free crime-buster hotline on 0800 020 070.

“The caller has the option of remaining anonymous and all calls are followed up,” the Post Office said.

Customers of the Post Office are also requested to strictly observe the measures announced to curb the spread of Coronavirus, such as the wearing of masks, sanitising and social distancing.

SAPO further reminded the recipients of R350 COVID-19 relief fund that they do not have to visit their local post office every month, but can choose to have their grant paid into a Postbank account, and use their Postbank card to access the grant.

“Speak to your local post office branch if you would like to arrange this,” SAPO said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Public Service and Administration Minister Ayanda Dlodlo says the high rate of gender-based violence and femicide in the country erodes the strides made towards the emancipation of women.

“It is more dangerous to be a woman in South Africa than in any other place on this planet. [The word] imbokodo has been abused to mean that women must be thrown into hardships because they are strong.

“Women are expected to bekezela [persevere] and bear unnecessary burdens because they are strong,” the Minister said on Monday during a Public Service Women in Leadership event held in Pretoria.

Dlodlo said much more remains to be done to fully emancipate women, despite the progress that has been made to date.

Women make up 53% of public servants; however, they only make up 33% of the senior management.

As of 31 July 2021, the public service workforce had 1 216 812 people, and of those, 754 534 (62%) were women and 462 278 (38%) were men.

Representation of women across all levels shows that there are more women than men up to level 10. However, from levels 11 to 16, which are management positions, there are more men than women.

The Senior Management Service (SMS) category, which comprises levels 13 to 16, has 9 385 positions, with 4 108 (43.77%) filled by women and 5 277 (56.22%) by men.

Dlodlo paid tribute to the women of yesteryear, who paved the way to a more equal society.

“We must thank women such as Bertha Gxowa, Mary Moodley, Helen Joseph, Lilian Ngoyi and many others for how far we have come. We must make them proud with how diligently we carry out the responsibilities entrusted to us.”

The event was held under the theme, ‘The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: Realising Women’s Right’, and was hosted jointly by the Department of Public Service and Administration and The Presidency.

Source: South African Government News Agency

On the Saturday, 28 August 2021, Cofimvaba shift members made the following drug related arrests:

During a random search of a known drug dealer in the central business district in town, a (45) year old male was arrested when found in possession of 20 mandrax tablets. The estimated street value of the mandrax tablets are R1600-00.

Following intelligence driven information, a (50) year old male was found in possession of 38 sachets of tik. The estimated Street value of the tik sachets are R1520-00.

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

Source: South African Police Service

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has applauded SAPS members from the Intelligence Unit in the province as well as their counterparts from the Nelspruit Flying Squad. Their relentless efforts resulted in the arrest of two men, aged 37 and 44 respectively who were found in possession of dagga to the value of about R 409 740-00 at Low’s Creek in the early hours of today, Sunday, 29 August 2021.

According to the report, the members received information about a large volume of dagga stored at a certain house in Low’s Creek. They then conducted an Intelligent Driven Operation and upon arrival at the house, they conducted a search where 13 bags starched with dagga was discovered. The dagga was weighing about 273, 16 kilograms. The two suspects were then arrested and charged accordingly. They are due to appear before the Barberton Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Monday, 30 August 2021 for dealing in drugs.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Manamela has considered the arrest as a great success in the fight against drug related activities in the communities.

Source: South African Police Service

Eden Cluster Crime Combatting Team members deployed in crime ridden areas in George embarked on various weekend operations where they confiscated drugs as well as liquor. The focused operations included blue light patrols, random vehicle check points, stop and search and visits to drug and liquor outlets.

Yesterday afternoon at about 17:50, the team armed with a search warrant operationalised information from the public when they pounced on a house at Borchards. On arrival a man attempted to flee, but the vigilant members swiftly caught up with him. A search of the premises resulted in the confiscation of 14 bankies of Tik and 20 Mandrax tablets. Police arrested the 35-year-old man a charge of dealing in drugs.

Meanwhile, on Friday, 27 August 2021 at about 19:05 the team responded to tipoff on illegal activities at a house at Kapokblom Street, Levalia when they conducted an operation at the premises. This operation yielded positive results when a large quantity of liquor was confiscated. A 50-year-old man was apprehended and is facing a charge of selling of liquor without a licence.

Later the same day, 27 August 2021 at about 21:30, these vigilant members followed-up on information about the illicit sale of liquor at a premises at Woltemade Street, Rosemore where they also confiscated liquor. They subsequently arrested a 24-year-old suspect. He is also facing a charge of selling of liquor without a licence.

All arrested will appear in court once charged.

Source: South African Police Service