Question NW3895 to the Minister of Police

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14 December 2017 - NW3895

Profile picture: Kohler-Barnard, Ms D

Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Police

(a) What number of SA Police Service officers were deployed outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa in each of the past three financial years and (b) what was the (i) reason for and (ii) period of deployment in each case?

Reply:

Division: Operational Response Services

(a) In the 2014/2015 financial year, a total of 164 members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) were deployed outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

In the 2015/2016 financial year, a total of two members of the SAPS were deployed outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

In the 2016/2017 financial year, a total of 62 members of the SAPS were deployed outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

(b) (i) The reason for the deployments were in support of the following:

  • The United Nations/African Union Hybrid Peacekeeping Mission, in Darfur (UNAMID).
  • The United Nations Peacekeeping Mission, in South Sudan (UNMISS).
  • The African Union Mission, in Somalia (AMISOM).
  • The Southern African Development Community Stabilisation Intervention Mission, in the Kingdom of Lesotho (SOMILES).
  • The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO), in New York.

(ii) In 2014/2015, the periods of deployment were as follows:

  • One member in UNAMID (final year of a two year secondment).
  • One member in AMISOM (first year of a three year secondment).
  • One member in UNDPKO (first year of a three year secondment).
      • 140 members in SOMILES (for a period of six months).
      • 21 members in UNMISS (for a period of 18 months).

In 2015/2016, the periods of deployment were as follows:

  • One member in UNDPKO (second year of a three year secondment).
  • One member in AMISOM (second year of a three year secondment).

In 2016/2017, the periods of deployment were as follows:

  • 36 members in UNAMID (for a period of 18 months).
  • One member in AMISOM (third year of a three year secondment).
  • Two members in UNDPKO (third year of a three year secondment and the first year of a three year secondment).
  • 23 members in UNMISS (for a period of 18 months).

Division: Crime Intelligence

(a) In the 2014/2015 financial year, a total of 24 members of the SAPS were deployed outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

In the 2015/2016 financial year, a total of 24 members of the SAPS were deployed outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

In the 2016/2017 financial year, a total of 19 members of the SAPS were deployed outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

(b)(i) INTERPOL SAPS Liaison Officers are placed in strategic locations at South African Missions abroad, mainly for the following reasons:

  • Coordination of all organised crime and crime intelligence related information, emanating from foreign law enforcement agencies and the promotion of mutual assistance, between the agencies concerned.
  • Cooperation with law enforcement agencies, in order to combat international organised crime and to coordinate and support official visits of SAPS personnel, to such countries.
  • Attend to police activities in countries where accredited, to participate in all forums where the presence of the SAPS is required and negotiate training possibilities in the fields, as identified and requested by the Human Resource Development.
  • Assist with the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) initiatives, including planning and participation in cross-border operations and cross-border law enforcement meetings.

(ii) SAPS Liaison Officers are placed as continental coordinators for a minimum term of four and six years. The terms of duty for officers, placed at an international organisation, may be extended, if required.

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