Report on Oversight Visit to Eastern Cape & Gauteng; Implementation of Resolution 7/2002 in SAPS: briefing

Meeting report

SAFETY AND SECURITY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
4 February 2004
REPORT ON OVERSIGHT VISIT TO EASTERN CAPE AND GAUTENG; IMPLEMENTATION OF RESOLUTION 7/2002 IN THE SAPS: BRIEFING

Chairperson: Mr M George

Documents handed out:
Committee Report on the oversight visit to the Eastern Cape and Gauteng
Implementation of Resolution 7/2002 in the SAPS

Summary
The Committee considered its report on oversight visits to the Eastern Cape and Gauteng regarding the implementation of Resolution 7/2002. The SAPS and the Department had not had an opportunity to peruse the report prior to the meeting, and so were not able to comment as the Committee had hoped. The Committee nevertheless had no real concerns over the report and agreed to adopt it.

The Committee was also given a broad overview of the implementation of Resolution 7/2002 in the SAPS, which included the matching and placement as well as the redeployment of personnel. Even though the process had constraints, the SAPS felt it would have a positive effect. The Committee seemed unanimous in their praise to SAPS for a job well done.

Minutes
Oversight visit to Eastern Cape and Gauteng
The Committee had visited the Provincial Head Offices of the SAPS in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. Visits were also made to three police stations in the Eastern Cape and four police stations in Gauteng. The aim was to check whether adequate consultation with all relevant stakeholders had taken place in the implementation of Resolution 7. The Committee had undertaken the visits to the provinces as a result of complaints that had surfaced over the implementation of the resolution.

The visits proved useful in that the Committee was able to make recommendations on how to alleviate some of the problems encountered, such as that SAPS management should improve their communication with police stations and relations with unions. The Committee generally felt that the SAPS management in Gauteng was doing a better job than their Eastern Cape counterparts. For a detailed look at the report please refer to the attached document.

Discussion
The Department noted that they had not received the report prior to the meeting and therefore felt that they would not be able to interact meaningfully on the findings of the report.

Adv P Swart (DA) asked whether the concerns of the unions were to be discussed by the Committee. The Chair said their concerns were general in nature and their allegations had nothing to do with Resolution 7.

Mr D Gibson (DA) asked who was going to ensure that Committee recommendations were followed. For example, the Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng was supposed to submit a report by the 26 January 2004 on the steps he had taken to solve the problem of shortages of detectives in Soweto. To date, no report had been received.

The Chair asked Commissioner Singh (SAPS) to follow up on the issue of the shortage of detectives in Soweto.

Mr M Booi (ANC) said that the concerns of Mr Gibson was noted but nevertheless felt that the Committee was in favour of adopting the report.

Mr Swart agreed to the adoption of the report but was insistent on obtaining answers from the SAPS on measures taken to address the problems identified in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng.

Mr Booi reacted that it would be unfair for them to have to make inputs on matters that they were uninformed about.

Commissioner Singh said that the Committee report would be studied and that inputs on it would be forwarded to the Committee.

The Committee voted to adopt the report.

Implementation of Resolution 7/2002 in the SAPS
Assistant Commissioner Ndaba and Commissioner Singh informed the Committee that the implementation process was over a twelve month period ie June 2002- June 2003. Ndaba then provided an overview with figures on the numbers of employees matched and placed, those declared in excess and those that had applied for severance packages. A skills audit had taken place and a number of Committees established ie National and Provincial Matching and Placement Committees, the Provincial Monitoring Committee and an Area Matching and Placement Committee.

Specific figures were also given on the redeployment of SAPS personnel in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. A total of 227 disputes had arisen nationally and 150 of these had occurred in the Eastern Cape. The process had constraints as negative media campaigns, legal disputes, a moratorium on employment and limited financial resources hampered the process. Ultimately, the SAPS was offering a better service after the implementation of Resolution 7/2002. For a detailed look at the briefing, please refer to the attached document.

Discussion
Mr Gibson asked what was meant by 'no physical relocation'. He also asked whether the implementation of Resolution 7 had been worth it given problems with the relocation of personnel, low morale etc. He asked whether an alternative should have been considered.

Commissioner Singh answered that no physical relocation meant that the individual's job description had changed, but no physical relocation had taken place.

The Chair said that it would be understandable if the SAPS refused to answer the question. He emphasised that Resolution 7/2002 did not only affect Safety and Security, but all other departments as well.

Commissioner Singh said that SAPS did not have a choice in the implementation of Resolution 7. She felt that the process had a positive impact on SAPS.

Adv Swart asked how the moratorium on employment affected new recruitments. He also asked whether personnel involved in pending disputes had still been redeployed.

Commissioner Singh answered that the moratorium on employment had not affected normal recruitment. Personnel with pending disputes had to take up their new posts irrespective. The SAPS had obtained a court order forcing individuals to take up their posts as service delivery was being affected.

Mr R Zondo (ANC) asked if there had been any disputes in Tshwane.

Commissioner Singh noted that the disputes for Tshwane were included under those of Gauteng.

Ms A. Van Wyk (ANC) and Mr Booi felt that SAPS management needed to be congratulated on the manner in which it had implemented Resolution 7. Transformation was inevitable.

Mr Swart also conveyed his congratulations to SAPS , but felt that the Eastern Cape was not deserving of praise.

The Chair also congratulated SAPS but asked that the problems that had emerged be sorted out as soon as possible.

The meeting was adjourned.