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The Portfolio Committee on Police is impressed with the revamp work done at the North End Forensic Science Laboratory in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape,and believes that the laboratory will add the necessary energyto the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and other violent crimes. The committee yesterday visited the state-of-the-art laboratory and highlighted the importance of good administration to improve the DNA and other scientific analysesthat are central to improving conviction rates. 

The information that the infrastructure development project costsome R84 million of the budgeted R89 million is testament to government’s ability to plan and then execute those plans. “We are of the view that the model used to revamp the property to international standard should be replicated across the entire state apparatus. Also, the completion of the project within 18 months of the planned 24 months attests to the benefits of good project management,” said Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, the Chairperson of the committee. 

The committee also welcomed the assurance that despite the upgrades, docket analysis completion rates exceeded targets. This is positive in the context of the drive to fight GBV and violent crimes, which has such a devastating effect on both South Africa’s social and economic outlook. Convictions depend on water-tight cases that are scientific, evidence based and timely.  

The committee also welcomed improved efficiency within the South African Police Service (SAPS) supply chain management, which has resulted in the timely and proactiverenewal of contracts and the procurement of consumables and reagents. Furthermore, the committee welcomed the intention to have supplier open days to enable the SAPS to broaden its supplier database, especially in areas where there was a dependence on one or two suppliers. 

Meanwhile, the committee held an interaction with community police forums (CPFs), where CPF members raised their concerns about the lack of adequate resources necessary to augment SAPS’ policing work. There was a call for SAPS at local and district level to open and improve communication channels between SAPS and CPFs to ensure better collaboration.

Furthermore, CPFs highlighted the need for improved training from accredited bodies to ensure personal development and better implementation of their role and responsibility. The committee remains of the view that CPFs play a critical role in the fight against crime and better resourcing of this critical environment will serve to enhance policing in general. 

The committee has requested that the SAPS at all levels, the Eastern Cape Department of Community Safety and the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service send detailed responses with solutions to the challenges raised by CPF members. 

Meanwhile the committee again highlighted its displeasure that the SAPS Amendment Bill has not been tabled in Parliament for consideration to ensure that the legislation governing the policing environment is responsive to current challenges. 

Meanwhile, the committee will today visit the New Brighton Police Station in Gqeberha. The New Brighton Police Station is number six among 30 police stations around the country with the highest murder rates. The committee’s visit to the station is to assess interventions implemented to date to bring down the murder rate in the area and the impact thereof. 

Issued by The Chairperson of The Portfolio Committee on Police, Tina Joemat-Pettersson