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The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes Police Minister, Nathi Nhleko’s announcement that the reintroduction of specialised units in the South African Police Service (SAPS) is back on the cards after many years of silence and inaction in this regard. Sadly his predecessor, Nathi Mthethwa, made the same claim, after which nothing happened. The DA trusts that this time the Ministerial comments will be met with urgent and decisive action.

The DA has repeatedly called for the reinstatement of the specialised crime units since they were first disbanded by then police commissioner Jackie Selebi in 2004. Since then, crime in South Africa has spiralled out of control.

Specialised policing units are not just a nice-to-have but as International best practice have proven globally to be an effective strategy as they offer:     

• Sufficiently resourced and dedicated teams working solely on specific crime categories.
• Specialist skills and expertise needed to investigate, detect, arrest and ensure successful convictions.
• Detectives who have full knowledge of complex legislation and what is often sophisticated organised crime.
• Specialised units that are adaptable to changing environments and the modus operandi of criminals and have the capacity to build up intelligence.

We can no longer delay the reintroduction of specialised units to combat drugs and drug related crimes, organised crime, rural safety, serious and violent crime, crimes against women and children, sexual crimes and human trafficking. 

If Minister Nhkelo is truly serious about tackling our nation’s crime epidemic he must act with urgency in this regard. The South African Police Service is a national competence, and the deployment of specialised units remains his responsibility.  

Given the current Minister’s conduct over the last few months, he cannot be taken on his word alone and must come to Parliament to answer the following:

• Where will these specialised units operate?;
• When will these units be fully operational?;
• Who will be in charge of them?;
• If the financing will come from the R20 billion contingent liability?, if not;
• Where will the finances be sourced?; and
• Precisely what will their mandate be?

Under a national DA government, we would ensure that specialised units are set up throughout the country to respond to crime trends in all areas – regardless of who governs.

Issued by the DA