Question NW1820 to the Minister of Police
20 September 2021 - NW1820
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police
(1) Whether his department has long term national plans to deal with the growing spate of robberies targeting schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether arrests and charges have been made nationwide on such malicious acts; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether data on the specified arrests and charges is readily available to the public; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether his department has a blueprint that informs its fight against criminals that attack schools given that minors might lose their lives during such attacks; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
- Robberies, targeting schools, are addressed as part of the National Crime Combating Strategy of the South African Police Service (SAPS), which employs a five pillar approach, to combat crime. The five pillars are as follows:
- Pillar 1: intelligence gathering, analysis and coordination.
- Pillar 2: Proactive and high visibility approach.
- Pillar 3: Combat and reaction approach.
- Pillar 4: Reactive through detection, including an organised crime approach.
- Pillar 5: Communication and Liaison.
As part of the proactive and high visibility approach, Pillar 2, the SAPS and the Department of Basic Education have a protocol in place, since 2011, to strengthen school safety. As part of this programme, all police stations have school safety officers, who are designated to prO\/ide support to schools, educate pupils about crime and safety tips and coordinate any crime prevention interventions, in schools. The schools are also linked to their local police
stations, in order to streamline the crime reporting process. The SAPS conducts school safety programmes across the country, on an annual basis, including crime awareness campaigns, operations required by the schools and other proactive crime prevention programmes, such as the Junior Commissioner Initiative, crime dialogues and sports against crime projects.
The Department of Basic Education and provincial education departments are also involved in the structures of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, including the National and Provincia! Joint Operational and intelligence committees, which allows them to cooperate with the SAPS, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and other departments in the JCPS Cluster, to ensure a coordinated response to crime and other threats targeting schools.
2. From 30 June 2021 to 26 July 2021, a total of 411 burglaries were reported at schools nationally. A total of 34 suspects were charged and referred to court, in 26 cases.
3. The JCPS Cluster and the SAPS provide regular feedback on notable successes, including arrests, but does not necessarily share information on every arrest and every person charged. Court proceedings are mostly public proceedings, which allows for the media to report on any person, who appeared as an accused in court.
4. The National Crime Combating Strategy serves as a blue print for the fight against crime and the School Safety Programme provides for a specific focus on preventing crime that affect schools, in recognition of the importance of education and of schools being safe spaces for children.
Reply to question 1820 recommended
NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2021/09/15
Reply to question 1820 approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 18/09/2021