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Pretoria Deputy Ministers of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale and Ms Polly Boshielo, National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, Deputy National Commissioners present, Special Advisor to the Minister, Advocate Vusi Pikoli, Members of the media, those present here today and those on virtual platforms And all South Africans watching, Ladies and gentlemen, A very good morning to you all! Thank you for joining us at this first briefing as the Ministry of Police since our assumption of office. We are honoured and humbled to have been given the enormous responsibility of ensuring that South Africans are safe and feel safer. Chapter 11 of the Constitution of the Republic outlines the mandate of the South African Police Service (SAPS). It underscores our fundamental duty to ensure the safety and security of all. We have spent the first week in office meeting with the executive management, provincial commissioners and divisional heads of the South African Police Service. We have done this to ensure that we have a broad understanding of the portfolio, including the challenges and opportunities so that we can map out the priorities and urgent tasks at hand. In addition to meeting the SAPS top brass, we have also benefited from briefings from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) and the Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service. We have also noted and appreciate that statements issued by various organisations and institutions within the security arena, offering recommendations and advice on how together we can take the fight against crime forward and build safer communities and a safer South Africa. Engagements with the Portfolio Committee on Police in the National Assembly has also been invaluable and presented helpful suggestions and comments. Members of the public have also expressed their views on radio, television, newspapers and digital media platforms, expressing their fears, hopes, confidence, expectations and support. We appreciate the comments and have taken them into consideration as we map the way forward. We would like at this stage to express our confidence in the National Commissioner, Deputy National Commissioners and the organisation as a whole. We are cautions on this but hope that they will continue to work hard to earn that confidence. We will give the National Commissioner enough room to exercise his duties, whilst we exercise oversight and provide leadership. INITIAL OBSERVATIONS AND PRIORITIES We will continue to interact with the management of SAPS and various stakeholders as part of our work. However, our observations following the briefings in the past week are as follows: The crime levels in the country are on the increase and are intolerable. We need to act decisively and bring this under control. The levels and type of crime differ from one province to the other. We need to take this into account as we implement the integrated National Crime Prevention Strategy. This scenario also requires that we think about what management system is needed overall within the police service, which will enable us to respond effectively to the serious challenge we face. It is our view and understanding that tough measures may need to be taken to reduce crime where necessary. The leading crimes in the country currently are contact crimes such as murders and rape, as well as hijackings and kidnappings for ransom payments. The killing of women and children also continues to be cause for serious concern and warrants intensive action from law enforcement. Our mission is clear: our country must be safe for all citizens. People all over South Africa must be able to move around at any time without fear of marauding criminals. Gang violence is also on the rise, noticeably in the Western Cape. The situation must be brought under control so that children in the Cape Flats, Khayelitsha (Site C), parts of Nelson Mandela Bay and parts of Gauteng can be able to play in the streets without fear of being hit by stray bullets. We take the issue of ‘construction mafias’ in the country very seriously. This trend is associated with destructive activities which disrupt construction and infrastructure development which our country urgently requires. Genuine quests for economic transformation can be handled through the correct channels and using existing policy prescripts, without resorting to hijacking construction sites and using extortion to source business. This matter will continue to receive priority attention. LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS AND POLICY We will prioritise the amendments to the South African Police Service Act as it is outdated, as it still makes incorrect references to the 1993 Interim Constitution. It needs to be in line with modern day crime fighting and prevention demands. We will also finalise the National Policy on Policing. It must take into account provincial needs and priorities. PROFESSIONALISATION Central to our strategy is the urgent need to professionalise the SAPS and instil positive ethical values, patriotism and the understanding that the primary duty of a police officer is to always serve and protect the public. Uprooting corruption and removing corrupt police officers from SAPS will remain a top priority. Misconduct by SAPS members will not be tolerated and action will be taken. We want to change the negative perceptions of our police officers. People must respect police officers, have confidence in them and feel safe in their midst. Professionalism in the work of police is also part of police protection mechanism. TOOLS OF TRADE AND TRAINING Our police officers need to work in a conducive environment. We are committed to ensuring that our police stations are well-resourced. We have to provide the necessary tools and vehicles to serve our communities effectively. Over the past two years, over 20,000 new police officers have been trained. We will strive to continue bolstering capacity and to enhance police training. Police officer must attend regular refresher courses to stay operationally ready. We will also strengthen some existing units within the police force. INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY Criminals have become sophisticated over the years and old-fashioned crime fighting and detection methods will not succeed. The integration of technology in police services is therefore crucial for enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and overall capability of law enforcement. We will prioritise the roll out of out of new technologies to detect and deter crimes. Advanced technologies such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, surveillance systems, and digital communication tools enable police to better predict, prevent, and respond to criminal activities. These tools provide officers with real-time information, improve decision-making, and facilitate faster, more accurate investigations. Technology also enhances transparency and accountability and fosters greater public trust. We will benchmark against other successful law enforcement agencies worldwide and endeavour to bring SAPS on par with the best in terms of technology and operational efficiency. CRIME INTELLIGENCE Crime intelligence is the backbone of policing and will be an apex priority. Robust crime intelligence capabilities are essential for maintaining public safety, reducing crime rates, and fostering a secure environment for communities. Certainly, our budget on this matter needs to be reviewed. FIREARMS CONTROL There are too many guns out there in the streets and firearms remain the weapon of choice in many violent crimes. We are intensifying our efforts to remove illegal firearms from our streets and ensuring improved gun control measures. In this regard, the private security industry legislation will be reviewed. SAFETY OF OUR PERSONNEL The safety of our police officers is a priority. We condemn the attacks and killing of police officers whether they are on or off duty. Anyone who attacks a police officer is declaring war on the State and the people. They are attacking the buffer between the citizens and anarchy and this will not be tolerated. Our hearts go out to all families who have lost their loved ones in the line of duty, or even off duty. Those who attack police officers will face the full might of the law. BUILDING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS We cannot win the war against crime alone as government. We will partner with the Community Policing Forums, the private sector, the private security industry, communities, community-based organisations, sectoral organisations such as those protecting the rights of women and children, faith-based organisation, traditional councils, organised labour and non-governmental organisations dedicated to the fight against crime. Working together we will make progress towards making our country safer. CONCLUSION Ladies and gentlemen, we will deliver our Budget Vote speech in the National Assembly tomorrow, 16th of July, where we shall outline the programme of action for this year. We are convinced that working together we can beat crime, create an environment to grow our economy and make South Africans feel safer in our townships, villages, suburbs, towns, cities, streets and places of work. We invite everyone, including the media, to join us and work with us on this journey. I Thank you.
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