South African Police Amendment Bill [B39-98]: discussion

JOINT MEETING BETWEEN SAFETY & SECURITY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE AND SECURITY & JUSTICE SELECT COMMITTEE
20 May 1998
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE AMENDMENT BILL [B39-98]: DISCUSSION

Documentation handed out:
South African Police Service Amendment Bill [B39-98]

MINUTES
Various discussions occurred surrounding the Bill. The committee was informed that legislation would be delayed until the next parliamentary quarter. Also there was a problem with the tagging mechanism of the Bill as the committee thought it should be a Section 76 Bill and the law advisors thought it should be a Section 75 Bill.

Three questions which the committee asked were:
1) Where does the municipal police's allegiance lie? This question was not answered.
2) How does one prevent "slip-up" cases from occurring? The answer given was that the alleged perpetrators were taken straight to the police station after they were arrested. This prevented any escapes from occurring while in the hands of the municipal police.
3) Regarding community involvement, the Bill does not make explicit provision for that forum. In reply, it was said that the Bill does give a hint of community involvement in S 64C 2(d) and S 64J. This might have to be worked on, so that community involvement becomes clearer in the Bill.

Concerning retired police who took the severance package, it was asked whether they could join the municipal police service. The answer given was that presently they could join the service. It was added that the Bill might have to be amended to prevent this from occurring.

An official from the Department of Transport said that the functions of the municipal police service must be more specific to prevent duplication of work done by traffic officials.

These minutes are an incomplete record of the meeting.