Police Personnel Distribution & Condition of Police Stations: briefing by SAPS

Meeting report

SAFETY AND SECURITY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
27 February 2002
POLICE PERSONNEL DISTRIBUTION & CONDITION OF POLICE STATIONS: BRIEFING BY SAPS

Chairperson: Mr M George (ANC)

Documents handed out:
National: Police Personnel Distribution
Free State: Police Personnel Distribution/ Conditions of Police Stations
State and Condition of Police Stations in South Africa
State of Police Stations and Distribution of Police Personnel
Annual Committee Programme (See appendix 1)
Presentations by the nine provinces
-Northern Province (See Appendix 2)
-Gauteng (See Appendix 3)
[The electronic versions of the other documents are awaited; email [email protected] if you wish to obtain copies]

SUMMARY:
National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi was criticised for "undermining the Committee and for showing blatant disregard for Parliament, the Constitution and the citizens of South Africa", when he again failed to attend a briefing by SAPS to this Committee. The Committee resolved that the next briefing must be led by the National Commissioner.

Police management briefed the Committee about issues pertaining to statistics, training, infrastructure development, the condition of police stations across the country, planned maintenance projects and other logistics.

The Committee believed that Deputy National Commissioner, assisted by Divisional Commissioners and the nine Provincial Commissioners, failed to answer questions concerning statistics regarding recruitment of personnel. The figures that were presented were confusing to the Committee who believed they were misleading. Complaints were also raised about the poor implementation of legislation for which they were responsible.

MINUTES
The SAPS delegation had the following representatives:
Deputy National Commissioner L J Eloff (Leader of Delegation)
Divisional Commissioner H M Hlela
Divisional Commissioner M M Stander
Divisional Commissioner (Dr) V Singh
Provincial and Acting Provincial Commissioners:
Eastern Cape: R S Mpongoma
Free State: M J Gaobepe
Gauteng: P Naidoo
KwaZulu/Natal: M van Eyk (Deputy Provincial Commissioner)
Mpumalanga: V A Dube (Deputy Provincial Commissioner)
Northern Cape: W R McKaiser
Northern Province: N C Sengani
North West: L E Beetha
Western Cape: L H Max

The Chair was displeased that National Commissioner Selebi had not attended the briefing. He described crime as "the biggest challenge facing the government". He complained that the police department was delaying employing and training recruits, as well as failing to re-deploy its members, especially to rural areas where policing was inadequate due to shortage of staff.

The Deputy National Commissioner, two divisional commissioners and all nine provincial commissioners briefed the Committee about the condition of police stations across the country, including infrastructure development and planned maintenance projects as well as the status of personnel and their training. [These presentations are awaited]

In his introduction, Deputy National Commissioner Eloff said the upgrading of police colleges such as Waalmanskraal was necessary because it would create job opportunities. 5 000 recruits would be trained during the present financial year only. 3 000 civilians will be added to bring the total to 8 000. He said his department's immediate plan is to increase the number of personnel to 147 000 members.

Mr V Ndlovu (IFP) said today's policeman were spoilt as they did not want to be redeployed. He said that nowhere in the world would you find a situation like this, where a policeman is given a choice as to where he or she wants to work.

The Chairperson urged the department to recruit more personnel. He noted that he had visited many police stations around the country in recent months and there were many problems that need to be addressed urgently such as understaffed police stations. Functional ones were in horrible state with buildings falling apart. Many vehicles were not roadworthy. Staff, especially the junior constable, have become "endangered species". These conditions lowered the the morale of the police.

Mr M Booi (ANC) believed that the police were being misleading about the facts that were presented. He said the Committee must insist that Selebi attend the next briefing so that he can answer questions. He believed that Selebi was undermining the Committee, and the provincial governments. Parliament is a legitimate institution, it must be respected. No civil servant is above the law or above Parliament and the Constitution - and that included the commissioner of police.

Ms A van Wyk (UDM) insisted that Commissioner Eloff come out clearly and provide the true figures, particularly concerning personnel. It was unfortunate that up to this stage the Committee had been unable to bring the National Commissioner together with his divisional and provincial commissioners under the same roof to answer questions so that they could iron out the problems once and for all. She suggested that future presentations be submitted in advance so that the Committee could have enough time to prepare itself. She was glad to note that of all the nine provinces, only the Eastern Cape is presently understaffed. She blamed this on the national department for failing to provide enough funds for training. She was unhappy that the Pretoria Training Centre was not being utilised properly.

Mr O Kgauwe (ANC) found it ridiculous and sad that people cannot obtain a job in the police force if they do not have a driver's licence. He urged SAPS to reconsider this. The Chairperson added that SAPS must know that, as soon as they make a driver's licence a requirement when employing people, they are effectively excluding the black applicant.

Mr M Maziya (ANC) was concerned that problems faced by personnel on the borders were not given priority in the SAPS presentations. He also said it was a disgrace that the SAPS employed "criminals" who end up vandalizing police stations. He called upon the department to be more careful whenever they recruit members.

Mr Booi agreed saying that there were still too many dishonest people in the police force. Problems identified two years ago had not been attended to. Some level of responsibility and honesty must begin to be shown by the police in this regard, especially by its Ministry. He said that the Committee was not going to accept lack of accommodation as an excuse by the SAPS not to re-deploy members in the rural areas.

The Chairperson said most provinces were not happy with "Operation Tsipa" because it had not been discussed with them prior to its formation. He thought it was because the National Commissioner took his commissioners for granted.

Complaints were also voiced by various committee members about the tardy or poor implementation of various Acts by the police such as those sections of the Firearms Control Act that were not dependent on the drafting of regulations, the Domestic Violence Act, Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act and the Tobacco Products Control Act.

The Committee proposed that the Directors General in the Departments of Public Works and Safety and Security should both be present at such a briefing so that they can provide a proper report regarding their respective departments. The National Commissioner's appearance is also awaited. Meeting adjourned.

Appendix
Annual Programme for the Portfolio Committee on Safety & Security (2002)
NB: Programme subject to review
Chairperson: Mr. ME George
Secretary: Mr. N Lala

NB: Bills will be included in the programme only after a communication has been received from the department and such bills had gone through the Joint Tagging Committee

*To be announced

Appendix 2
PRESENTATION TO THE NATIONAL PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
2002-02-27
PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER NORTHERN PROVINCE

1. The Northern Province is divided in 4 areas with a total of 90 Police Stations, 8 Border Posts which include Gateway International Airport, and 43 Satellite Police Stations. The breakdown is as follows.

2. The condition of the stations in the Northern Province can be summarised as follows.

3. The initiatives in place to address the 22 stations in the unacceptable category includes the following

3.1 The following Police Stations are listed on the priority list for the construction of new Police Stations:

3.2 The following 15 Police Stations are in a poor condition and new Police Stations must be erected:

3.3 The presidential station of the Northern Province Thohoyandou is categorised under the 66 stations in an average (fair) condition. Renovation is however needed in especially as far as the single quarters of the station is concerned.

The station is also listed on the capital works list for additional accommodation in terms of an additional 10 married quarters to be supplied, as the present accommodation is not sufficient.

Needs experienced at the presidential station receives priority at all times.

4. Problems experienced in general in the Northern Province are the following:

5. General:

5.1 All stations in the average and unacceptable categories struggle with inadequate detention facilities

5.2 These stations also have inadequate office facilities to their disposal. Offices do not conform to the needs according to the allocated post structures.

5.3 all these stations were built in a previous era. Provision was therefore never made for accommodation for personnel, which creates major problems when it comes to the advertisement of vacant posts and transfer of members.

5.4 The older police stations in the province were promulgated as national heritage. Renovations to these building are therefore very expensive and it is not possible to built on these sites. An example of this is the Louistrichardt police station.

5.5 Satellite police stations are essential to the provision of service to the communities in the northern province. These structures are normally obtained from community members in the rural areas and are more than often in a very poor condition.

PERSONNEL

(A) Total Number Police Officers (excluding civilians)
102 362 (April 2001)(figures obtained from national website)

(B) Total Population
44 560 644 (Mid-Year estimate for 2001 - Source: Statistics South Africa)

(C) Ratio of Police Officers

Northern Cape 1 : 346 (1 police official for every 346 citizens)
Free State 1 : 348 (1 police official for every 348 citizens)
Gauteng 1 : 357 (1 police official for every 357 citizens)
Western Cape 1 : 439 (1 police official for every 439 citizens)
Nationally 1 : 443 (1 police official for every 443 citizens)
North West 1 : 465 (1 police official for every 465 citizens)
Eastern Cape 1 : 511 (1 police official for every 511 citizens)
Kwazulu /Natal 1 : 549 (1 police official for every 549 citizens)
Mpumalanga 1 : 614 (1 police official for every 614 citizens)
Northern Province 1 : 731 (1 police official for every 731 citizens)

AVERAGE: 1 : 480 (1 police official for every 480 citizens)

1. Total strength in the Northern Province is 9055 that includes civilian personnel of 1302(14,38%). Functional personnel fighting crime therefore totals 7753(85,62%).

IDEAL SITUATION

2. According to the post investigation done by management services during 1998, a personnel strength of 11678 (excluding commissioned officers) was needed to effectively police the Northern Province.

Of this total, 2631(22,53%) are civilians and 9047(77,47%) are functional personnel. These figures as mentioned above, excludes commissioned officers

3. An increase of 1329(50,51%) in the civilian ranks, and 1294(14,30%) in the functional ranks is therefore needed in the northern province in order to ensure t hat policing could be effectively done. According to this investigation, the ratio will then improve to 1:493 of the population (almost equal to the average).

4. During the past three years the enlistments in the Northern Province was the following:

5. During 2001, a total number of 79 functional members were re-deployed for functional duties in the Northern Province.

6. Re-deployment and deployment of personnel in the Northern Province is done in co-operation with the provincial heads human resource management and management services.

7. The priority stations (which includes the presidential station) receive priority and 70% of all personnel are deployed and re-deployed to these 18 stations in the northern province.

8. A major problem at present in terms of the national resource plan is the fact that a plan developed for urban policing must be implemented in rural and deep rural areas.

BUDGET ALLOCATION

1999/2000 155 000 000
2000/2001 160 000 000
2001/2002 195 000 000

Appendix 3
PRESENTATION TO PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
GAUTENG
27 February 2002

CONDITION OF POLICE STATIONS

TOTAL STATIONS 122
GOOD CONDITION 26
FAIR CONDITION 66
POOR CONDITION 30

PROJECTS IN PROGRESS

1 AREA JOHANNESBURG

* Alexandra New Station 90% completed, Expected completion March 2002
* Hillbrow Repairs & Upgrade Commencing end Feb 2002
* Bramley Repairs & Upgrade Commencing end Feb 2002
* Cleveland Cells Upgrade 20% completed

2 AREA VAAL RAND

* Boipatong New Station 45% completed
* Ennerdale New Cells Commencing end Feb 2002
* Sharpeville Cells Upgraded Commencing end Feb 2002
* Orange Farms New Station Opened Nov 2001

3 AREA WEST RAND

* Khutsong Community Safety Centre 95% completed

4 AREA SOWETO

* Area Office Electrical Upgrade & Roof Repairs 45% completed
* Area Office New Offices Design Stage

5. AREA EAST RAND

* Primrose New Cells & Repair Station 85% completed
* Alberton New Cells 50% completed
* Dunnotar New Cells 80% completed
* Springs Cells Upgrade Commencing end Feb 2002
* Bedfordview New Cells Tender Feb 2002
* Katlehong New Station Opened 2001-04-04

6. AREA NORTH RAND

* Edenvale Cells Upgrade & Station Renovation 25% completed
Construct Trauma Room, Parade Room
& SAP13 Store

7. AREA PRETORIA

* Brooklyn Complete repairs Site Handed Over
* Cullinan Complete repairs Site Handed Over
* Hammanskrall Complete repairs Site Handed Over
* Lyttleton Complete repairs Site Handed Over
* Mamelodi Complete repairs Site Handed Over
* Soshanguve Complete repairs Site Handed Over
* Welbekend Complete repairs Site Handed Over
*Wierdabrug Complete repairs Site Handed Over

PROJECTS 2002/2003

BARRAGE Upgrade CSC
BENONI Paving entrance
BEDFORDVIEW New Cells & Total renovation of station
ENNERDALE New Cells & Burglar proofing
HILLBROW Cells upgrade & Renovations to roof and windows
ZONKEZIZWE Landscaping and ecology
NORKEM PARK Supply & install emergency generator set
JABULANI Supply & install emergency generator set
DOORNKOP Supply & install emergency generator set
NALEDI Supply & install emergency generator set
LENASIA SOUTH Additional toilet facilities
GERMISTON Upgrade Criminal Record Centre to OHASA standards
JOHANNESBURG Upgrade Criminal Record Centre to OHASA standards
KRUGERSDORP Upgrade cells & Renovate station
MAGALIESBURG Renovate station
RANDBURG Upgrade cells
SPRINGS Upgrade cells

PROJECTS 2002/2003(1)

KLIPTOWN Renovate station
RANDFONTEIN Renovate station
BENONI Renovate ablution facilities & Electrical installation
BOKSBURG Renovate station
DAWNPARK Renovate station
BRIXTON Renovate station
LENASIA Renovate station
NIGEL Renovate station
ORLANDO Renovate station
TARLTON Renovate station & Cells Upgrade
EIKENHOF Renovate station
NIGEL DETECTIVES Renovate
SHARPEVILLE Renovate station & Cells Upgrade

BACKGROUND ALEXANDRA

· Presidential Station
· Located in Area Johannesburg
· Current Police Station upgraded (Sponsored by Vodacom) -To be used for Specialised Units
· New Police Station to open in March 2002 (Funded by Gauteng Government)
· Computers 33, Printers 16, Faxes 4
· Vehicles 64

BACKGROUND KATLEHONG

· Presidential Station
· Old Police Station utilised for Satellite and Firearm Registration Centre
· Located in Area East Rand
· Current Police Station opened on 2001-04-04
· Computers 42, Printers 18, Faxes 9
· Vehicles 62

PERSONNEL ACCORDING TO RACE I GENDER

HUMAN RESOURCES - GAUTENG

Stations 122
Units Uniform 45
Detective 76

Total 25 920
· Func 21002
· Non-Func 4918

CRIME PREVENTION /OPERATIONAL 13 010
· Func 12 638 (97.01%)
· Non-Func 372(2.9%)

DETECTIVES / CRIME INTELLIGENCE 6 344
· Func 5 801(91.4%)
· Non-Func 543(8.6%)

MANAGEMENT I SUPPORT 6 566
· Func 2 563(39.0%)
· Non-Func 4 003(61.0%)