Question NW1446 to the Minister of Police

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27 August 2020 - NW1446

Profile picture: Terblanche, Mr OS

Terblanche, Mr OS to ask the Minister of Police

(a) What has he found to be the reasons for the recent spike in the prevalence of brutal murders in the Republic (i) on farms, (ii) in the rural areas and (iii) relating to gender- based violence, (b) how does he intend to curb the phenomenon and (c) what measures will he put in place to bring the perpetrators to book?

Reply:

(a)The reported crimes, including murder, are captured on and extracted from the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Administration System (CAS), using the allocated crime codes. The codes are referred to as the Daily Summary Serious Codes (DSSC) and the crime code allocated to murder, is DSSC 0001. It would be advisable that an unambiguous description of brutality in relation to murder incidents be established, in order to enable a quantitative analysis of these incidents. On registration of any reported crime, the DSSC do not allow for the capturing of additional descriptors, which requires that a qualitative analysis be done to determine the causative factors.


Regarding the crime of murder, for the period, 27 March to 2 July 2020, as extracted from the CAS and attached, as slides one and two, does not show evidence supporting the assertion that there is a spike in the reported incidence of murders across all provinces.

(a)(i)(ii) Farms and rural areas:

The National Rural Safety Priority Committee meets on a quarterly basis, to review all possible farm murders, to determine whether they meet the determined criteria, to be classified as farm murders. The above- mentioned Committee had not yet met when this response was written.


The crimes that are registered on the CAS are allocated case numbers that are specific to the police station and not necessarily to the type of the area.

(a)(iii) Gender-based violence:

Currently, there is no Act relating specifically to gender-based violence (GBV), in the Republic of South Africa, therefore, the SAPS reports on the contravention of the Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act No. 116 of 1998). The attached slide number three, provides a synopsis of the violation of the said Act for the period, 27 March to 21 June 2020.

(b)The reviewed Rural Safety Strategy was implemented, on 1 April 2020, with the aim to address rural safety, as an integrated day-to-day policing approach, by creating a safe and secure rural environment. The purpose of this Strategy, is to provide direction and guidelines, to create safety and security in the rural environment, in support of ensuring a better life for all.

In addition to the implementation of the Rural Safety Strategy, the Community Policing Strategy has been implemented, to ensure an integrated approach, to encourage and mobilise available resources across all sectors, including those directly involved in law enforcement and safety and security. The key feature of the Community Policing Strategy is the Community in Blue Concept, which focuses on increasing local community participation in social crime prevention and environmental design initiatives, institutionalise community participation in crime prevention, collaborate with the SAPS in increasing visibility and operational capacity and enhancing community-based intelligence. Furthermore, the Traditional Policing Concept was approved for implementation to stimulate active community involvement, in the fight against crime in rural areas.

The purpose of the Integrated Sexual Offence and Gender-based Violence Strategy, is to ensure an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to addressing GBV.

Operationally, stabilisation and high density basic policing interventions are implemented in all provinces, in accordance with prevailing crime trends. The stabilisation and high density basic policing interventions are complemented by normalisation interventions such as:

Community engagements by the Minister and police leadership, in all provinces, during the festive season.

O Community awareness programmes.

O Youth crime prevention projects.

O Implementation of the Community-in-Blue Concept (patrolling streets).

Intensified police visibility during national operations. A Reservist call-ups.

The enforcement of the Liquor Act.

Weekly compliance inspections at liquor outlets.

Intensified social crime prevention campaigns (drugs and substance abuse, dangerous weapons, sexual offences, etc.).

(c) The Detective Service will continue to apply all relevant investigative techniques, to ens’ure that perpetrators of crime, are brought to book.


Reply to question 1446 recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2020/08/12

Reply to question 1446 approved

MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 26/08/2020

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