Date: 12/04/2005
Source: Ministry for Safety and Security
Title: Shabangu: Safety and Security Dept Budget Vote 2005/2006
Budget Speech by the Deputy Minister for Safety and Security, Hon Susan Shabangu
Chairperson
Honourable Members
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
In developing our policies and strategies over the first decade of democracy we placed crime prevention firmly on the government’s agenda. Within this agenda is a strong focus on social crime prevention to complement law enforcement and policing. At the heart of these efforts is a partnership between the police and communities.
Community Policing fora, which have been in place since 1993, are now functioning well at most police stations. This is the cornerstone of the partnership between the police and communities. The CPFs are actively involved in crime prevention and awareness programmes and allows the police to mobilise and involve communities in the fight against crime. CPF does also assist the police by mobilising partnerships with business and other stakeholders in communities to address crime concerns.
To strengthen community policing the South African Police Service introduced sector policing in 2002 through which station precincts are divided into smaller manageable parts. To date sector policing has been implemented in 97 of the 126 sectors at Presidential Police Stations and in 217 of the 394 sectors in High Crime Stations.
Partnerships are essential to address social fabric crimes like rape and sexual offences, domestic violence and crimes against children. Drugs and alcohol abuse are significant contributing factors to social fabric crimes. The SAPS are involved in a number of partnerships and programmes targeting these issues that include:
Three research projects were undertaken in terms of the Anti-rape strategy framework approved by Cabinet in 2004. The research project undertaken by the SAPS was focused on identifying causes and contributing factors for rape and sexual offences with the objective of informing prevention of these crimes. During 2005 the findings of this research project will be presented to the relevant clusters with recommendations for specific rape prevention programmes.
As one of the departments involved in the implementation of the anti-rape strategy framework, the Service shall continue to vigorously pursue the prevention and investigation of rape, and support services to victims of rape.
To increase our capacity to deal with domestic violence we will train 86 trainers and 1500 members in the new Domestic Violence Learning programme in 2005.
We have established 227 victim friendly facilities at police stations, and aim to establish an additional 150 such facilities in 2005/2006.
Furthermore, in the building of new police stations and upgrading of stations, provision is now being made for private facilities where victims can provide statements and where they can access information.
The SAPS Victim Support programme has been reviewed to ensure that SAPS training and guidelines support the Victims’ Charter of Rights.
We are developing a youth crime prevention and development programme that defines the roles and responsibilities the SAPS. Linked to this is the training of SAPS members to deal with child offenders and youth crime prevention.
To market career prospects in the SAPS, two career centres were launched since the last budget speech:
* Bellville career and information centre, 22 October 2004
* Pinetown career and information centre, 5 November 2004
Two more are scheduled for the areas of Thabong and Galeshewe later this year.
The Safer Schools programme resulted from a partnership between the SAPS and the Department of Education, which will continue to focus on ensuring a safe learning environment. This programme is implemented jointly at provincial level and addresses issues such as drugs and firearms in schools, sexual offences and bullying. We need to ensure that communities are involved in this programme through the School Governing Bodies and School Safety Committees.
With the Department of Education we are also focusing on safer schools. Through this we facilitate and manage the national roll out of Tiisa Thuto programme in co-operation with Business against Crime.
During 2004, the SAPS endeavoured to address the plight of homeless children and to mobilise relevant stakeholders to assist children in need. We have already established programmes for homeless children in Hillbrow and Sunnyside that provide safe and educational alternatives for children who would normally spend their time on the streets. At Hillbrow a centre for homeless children was established at the police station. At Sunnyside arrangements were made for an existing skills development centre to accommodate homeless children in classes and the Centre was also registered as a shelter that provides for 30 children. Both stations can report a significant decline in certain types of crimes following the implementation of these programmes. A similar programme has been implemented in the Western Cape for homeless children in Cape Town where recreational and skills development programmes will be presented.
We will continue to work with other departments and stakeholders to address the needs of homeless children.
A special focus on youth and crime is planned for June as part of the Freedom Charter’s 50th Anniversary. During Child Protection Week and Youth Month, we will conduct children’s Izimbizo to allow children a voice in the programmes that address their needs and concerns.
Between May and November 2004, the cluster implemented integrated drug law enforcement operations in the 63 priority police station areas. Large quantities of dagga, mandrax and ecstacy were confiscated.
Organised crime investigation teams were also established to launch operations against identified syndicates. These operations are intelligence driven and aimed at neutralising the syndicates through investigation and prosecution or disruptive operations. These operations resulted in the arrest of 741 suspects and seizure, amongst others, of 14 792 kg of cannabis, 92 213 mandrax tablets and 120 920 ecstasy tablets.
22 Clandestine drug laboratories capable of manufacturing massive quantities of illicit drugs were detected and dismantled. 65 drug mules carrying drugs such as cocaine, heroine and cannabis were arrested at Johannesburg International Airport.
We are busy with the development of a strategy to inform the prevention and demand reduction work that should be undertaken by the SAPS.
The need for an intensive and extensive communication and awareness programme in regard to social crime prevention focusing on our members and communities has been identified.
These programmes will be intensified to address issues pertaining to specific groups during:
* Child Protection Week;
* Youth Day;
* Drug Awareness Week;
* Women’s Day; and the
* 16 Days of No Violence Against Women & Children
I would be neglecting my duty as Deputy Minister and as a woman if I fail to mention the SAPS Women’s Network. The network was launched at national level and followed by launches at provincial, area and station level. The network aims to enhance the rendering of service by the SAPS through facilitating greater co-operation, equality and empowerment among all employees of the SAPS. Activities are aligned to government initiatives to improve the overall quality of life for women.
While there is improved public awareness about these matters we cannot rest on our laurels as our biggest enemy, besides criminals, are public perceptions developed over ages against women and children. Our fight is not only against criminal and abusive elements, it is against perceptions that militate against social crimes being understood for what they are – simple criminal behaviour.
Issued by: Ministry of Safety and Security
12 April 2005
Source: Ministry for Safety and Security
Title: Shabangu: Safety and Security Dept Budget Vote 2005/2006
Budget Speech by the Deputy Minister for Safety and Security, Hon Susan Shabangu
Chairperson
Honourable Members
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
In developing our policies and strategies over the first decade of democracy we placed crime prevention firmly on the government’s agenda. Within this agenda is a strong focus on social crime prevention to complement law enforcement and policing. At the heart of these efforts is a partnership between the police and communities.
Community Policing fora, which have been in place since 1993, are now functioning well at most police stations. This is the cornerstone of the partnership between the police and communities. The CPFs are actively involved in crime prevention and awareness programmes and allows the police to mobilise and involve communities in the fight against crime. CPF does also assist the police by mobilising partnerships with business and other stakeholders in communities to address crime concerns.
To strengthen community policing the South African Police Service introduced sector policing in 2002 through which station precincts are divided into smaller manageable parts. To date sector policing has been implemented in 97 of the 126 sectors at Presidential Police Stations and in 217 of the 394 sectors in High Crime Stations.
Partnerships are essential to address social fabric crimes like rape and sexual offences, domestic violence and crimes against children. Drugs and alcohol abuse are significant contributing factors to social fabric crimes. The SAPS are involved in a number of partnerships and programmes targeting these issues that include:
Three research projects were undertaken in terms of the Anti-rape strategy framework approved by Cabinet in 2004. The research project undertaken by the SAPS was focused on identifying causes and contributing factors for rape and sexual offences with the objective of informing prevention of these crimes. During 2005 the findings of this research project will be presented to the relevant clusters with recommendations for specific rape prevention programmes.
As one of the departments involved in the implementation of the anti-rape strategy framework, the Service shall continue to vigorously pursue the prevention and investigation of rape, and support services to victims of rape.
To increase our capacity to deal with domestic violence we will train 86 trainers and 1500 members in the new Domestic Violence Learning programme in 2005.
We have established 227 victim friendly facilities at police stations, and aim to establish an additional 150 such facilities in 2005/2006.
Furthermore, in the building of new police stations and upgrading of stations, provision is now being made for private facilities where victims can provide statements and where they can access information.
The SAPS Victim Support programme has been reviewed to ensure that SAPS training and guidelines support the Victims’ Charter of Rights.
We are developing a youth crime prevention and development programme that defines the roles and responsibilities the SAPS. Linked to this is the training of SAPS members to deal with child offenders and youth crime prevention.
To market career prospects in the SAPS, two career centres were launched since the last budget speech:
* Bellville career and information centre, 22 October 2004
* Pinetown career and information centre, 5 November 2004
Two more are scheduled for the areas of Thabong and Galeshewe later this year.
The Safer Schools programme resulted from a partnership between the SAPS and the Department of Education, which will continue to focus on ensuring a safe learning environment. This programme is implemented jointly at provincial level and addresses issues such as drugs and firearms in schools, sexual offences and bullying. We need to ensure that communities are involved in this programme through the School Governing Bodies and School Safety Committees.
With the Department of Education we are also focusing on safer schools. Through this we facilitate and manage the national roll out of Tiisa Thuto programme in co-operation with Business against Crime.
During 2004, the SAPS endeavoured to address the plight of homeless children and to mobilise relevant stakeholders to assist children in need. We have already established programmes for homeless children in Hillbrow and Sunnyside that provide safe and educational alternatives for children who would normally spend their time on the streets. At Hillbrow a centre for homeless children was established at the police station. At Sunnyside arrangements were made for an existing skills development centre to accommodate homeless children in classes and the Centre was also registered as a shelter that provides for 30 children. Both stations can report a significant decline in certain types of crimes following the implementation of these programmes. A similar programme has been implemented in the Western Cape for homeless children in Cape Town where recreational and skills development programmes will be presented.
We will continue to work with other departments and stakeholders to address the needs of homeless children.
A special focus on youth and crime is planned for June as part of the Freedom Charter’s 50th Anniversary. During Child Protection Week and Youth Month, we will conduct children’s Izimbizo to allow children a voice in the programmes that address their needs and concerns.
Between May and November 2004, the cluster implemented integrated drug law enforcement operations in the 63 priority police station areas. Large quantities of dagga, mandrax and ecstacy were confiscated.
Organised crime investigation teams were also established to launch operations against identified syndicates. These operations are intelligence driven and aimed at neutralising the syndicates through investigation and prosecution or disruptive operations. These operations resulted in the arrest of 741 suspects and seizure, amongst others, of 14 792 kg of cannabis, 92 213 mandrax tablets and 120 920 ecstasy tablets.
22 Clandestine drug laboratories capable of manufacturing massive quantities of illicit drugs were detected and dismantled. 65 drug mules carrying drugs such as cocaine, heroine and cannabis were arrested at Johannesburg International Airport.
We are busy with the development of a strategy to inform the prevention and demand reduction work that should be undertaken by the SAPS.
The need for an intensive and extensive communication and awareness programme in regard to social crime prevention focusing on our members and communities has been identified.
These programmes will be intensified to address issues pertaining to specific groups during:
* Child Protection Week;
* Youth Day;
* Drug Awareness Week;
* Women’s Day; and the
* 16 Days of No Violence Against Women & Children
I would be neglecting my duty as Deputy Minister and as a woman if I fail to mention the SAPS Women’s Network. The network was launched at national level and followed by launches at provincial, area and station level. The network aims to enhance the rendering of service by the SAPS through facilitating greater co-operation, equality and empowerment among all employees of the SAPS. Activities are aligned to government initiatives to improve the overall quality of life for women.
While there is improved public awareness about these matters we cannot rest on our laurels as our biggest enemy, besides criminals, are public perceptions developed over ages against women and children. Our fight is not only against criminal and abusive elements, it is against perceptions that militate against social crimes being understood for what they are – simple criminal behaviour.
Issued by: Ministry of Safety and Security
12 April 2005
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