Question NW1011 to the Minister of Police
04 September 2017 - NW1011
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Police
(1)With reference to his reply to question 542 on 24 March 2017, (a) what is the legislative basis of the SA Police Service (SAPS) standard practice of directing questions pertaining to the resourcing of the Primrose Police Station to the SAPS provincial office and (b) how does he reconcile the standard practice with the mandate of the National Assembly of conducting oversight of any organ of state, as outlined in section 55 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; (2) what are the reasons that not one question asked at the meeting on 27 May 2016 has been answered; (3) what is a reasonable time period to expect the questions to be answered?
Reply:
1(a) The information pertaining to the resourcing of police stations is confidential, which in the public domain, could jeopardize the safety of police stations and personnel and ultimately impact on the safety of the public. The confidential information regarding the resourcing of police stations, is directly linked to the safety of police premises and police officials.
The Station Commander erred on the side of caution by deferring the questions on resourcing, referring the Councillor to the Provincial Office. Questions regarding the resourcing of police stations are usually referred to the Provincial Commissioner and are responded to accordingly.
The conduct of the Primrose Station Commander is in line with the recent instruction issued by the Provincial Commissioner, regarding the disclosure of confidential information.
The Station Commander in no way intended to hamper civilian oversight, however, the disclosure of confidential information by the SAPS, must be done responsibly.
(1)(b) The mandate of the National Assembly is in no way hampered as the Provincial Commissioner will gladly respond to any requests submitted for information regarding the resourcing of a police station, as long as such information will not jeopardize the safety of police stations, police officials or the community that the SAPS serves.
2. The responses to questions asked, in the form of minutes of the meeting held on 27 May 2016, was attached to the response of Question number 542.
3. All questions were responded to after this office became aware of the meeting and the questions posed.