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Police Committee Continues Deliberations on Latest Crime Statistics
Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police today further deliberated on the quarterly crime statistics for the fourth quarter of the 2023/24 financial year and the first quarter of this financial year.
The Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, released the quarterly crime statistics last week. Mr Mchunu attended the meeting with his deputy ministers, Mr Cassel Mathale and Ms Polly Boshielo.
In his opening remarks, Committee Chairperson Mr Ian Cameron said that today's deliberations provided an opportunity to engage in a critical and in-depth analysis of the statistics. “These statistics provide a stark reflection of the challenges we face in ensuring the safety and security of South Africa,” he said.
Major-General Norman Sekhukhune presented the statistics and told the committee that there was an increase in contact crimes over the two quarters, with 171 707 crimes reported in the fourth quarter – an increase of 4.6%. The South African Police Service (SAPS) recorded 153 637 contact crimes during the first quarter of this financial year, an increase of 2.6% compared to the same period last year, the statistics show.
Some committee members also flagged the statistics on crimes against women and children as particularly concerning. The statistics show that although the overall number of women murdered in 2023/24 is lower than 2022/23 (a decrease of 1.92%), the significant increase of 7.9% in the first quarter of 2024/25 compared to the first quarter of 2023/24 is concerning. According to SAPS' statistics, 966 women were murdered during the first quarter of 2024/25, 1 644 murders were attempted against women, and 13 757 women were assaulted with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. In 2023/24, 24 942 women were murdered, which is significantly higher than in 2021/22 (9.1% increase). Also, in the first quarter of 2024/25, 314 children were murdered, 424 murders against children were attempted, and 1 596 children were assaulted with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
One committee member, Ms Molebogeng Letlape, said the statistics do not present anything new as the numbers from previous quarters show that these crimes – murder and rape – continue to happen in the same areas as before. Ms Letlape asked the SAPS delegation what strategies and measures are in place to address this. “In terms of resources, in terms of crime intelligence, in terms of data collection – what are the measures and strategies that [you] have in place to ensure that there is a decrease in murders, rape and other crimes so that when we come back for the next quarterly report, we don't find ourselves in the same situation?” she asked.
Ms Letlape said it is alarming that despite all the efforts and the budgets made available, improvement remains lacklustre. She also said that of those murdered, over 1 000 are women and are exposed to crime, to murder and rape on a daily basis.
Another committee member, Ms Lise-Mare Schickerling, reminded the meeting attendees that the chilling statistics on rape mean that there is a high probability that one of the women in the (meeting) room could be the next victim of rape.
The acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Tobello Mosikili, said figures showing arrests of gang members, rapists and extortionists indicate that communities' cries are not falling on deaf ears. She said SAPS' focus remains on serious crime, such as murder, gender-based violence and extortion, among others, and will continue to receive the necessary attention.
Committee members also raised concern over the state of some police stations, which are in serious disrepair and are not conducive to quality policing. Others raised concerns over the lack of crime intelligence and limited resources, such as police vehicles, which hamper crime fighting efforts. Given that resources are scarce, Mr Cameron stressed the need for an integrated strategy where both SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority work towards common goals, “streamlining efforts to ensure that cases are effectively investigated, prosecuted, and brought to a successful conclusion”, he said. “Only through such collaboration can we hope to restore trust in our justice system and provide the safety and security that the people of South Africa deserve,” Mr Cameron said.
Minister Mchunu acknowledged that although crime is coming down, more should be done. He assured the committee that plans are in place and support to SAPS management will continue. “We are working on turnaround times. We need to improve that. We just need a little bit of time,” he said. “We don't expect these numbers to persist. It will go down,” he assured members.
The minister also conceded that crime intelligence is a major worry, especially in terms of capacity (numbers, technology and skills). He reminded the committee that crime intelligence has been hollowed out over the years and improving the situation will take time.
Lieutenant-General Mosikili, in turn, reminded the committee that scarce resources are a challenge across the board. She acknowledged poor maintenance of police stations as a challenge but said SAPS is working with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to attend to this.
Mr Cameron thanked the delegation. “As we work together to protect our communities, we must remember that our ultimate goal is to build a safer, more just South Africa for all. We cannot and dare not fail,” he said.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Home Affairs Committee Emphasises Importance of Public Participation During Electoral Reform Panel Process
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs applauds the progress achieved by the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel as it undertakes the process of considering electoral reform but emphasised the need for effective and proactive public consultation to enable broader societal participation.
The committee received a progress report from the panel including the development of a draft programme of action, adopting preliminary guiding principles and undertaking preliminary desktop research, and identifying thematic areas for research.
“While this is commendable progress, we must emphasise the importance of effective and meaningful public participation to ensure broader participation. Of most importance will be to ensure that even those in far-flung areas are given an opportunity to participate,” said Mr Mosa Chabane, the Chairperson of the committee.
The committee also persuaded the panel to extend the deadline for the public to submit their views on the issue to the end of October 2024 to enable the public to conduct further consultation and provide substantive inputs.
In addition, the committee welcomed the intention to partner with government entities such as the Pan South African Language Board to enable effective communication on the matter in different languages and the Government Communication and Information System to ensure extensive reach of the panel's messaging.
The committee also underscored the panel's responsibility to examine the current electoral system and conduct extensive research of other electoral systems to ensure broader options are presented to Parliament to consider.
The committee also emphasised that the panel must table before it a full programme with timelines, in the context of the legislated timelines in the Electoral Amendment Act of 2023. The committee also emphasised the need to manage time without affecting the quality of output the panel will produce.
Furthermore, the committee agreed that the panel's independence must be jealously guarded to ensure a credible report. The committee will, upon presentation of the report, undertake its own public participation processes to identify and agree on the best possible outcome.
During their constituency work, committee members committed to engage with their communities about the panel's work and the need for participation. “It is only through the participation of the people that a credible product will emanate from the panel. We thus urge the public to participate and contribute to charting a path for South Africa's democratic order,” Mr Chabane emphasised.
Meanwhile, the committee considered a letter it received from the Speaker of the National Assembly on the matter of the judgement delivered in the Western Cape High Court on the My Vote Counts NPC and the President of the Republic, which was delivered on 16 August 2024, on setting the upper limit for donations and the disclosure threshold for donations determined in Schedule 2 of the Political Parties Funding Act 2018. The committee resolved to finalise a draft motion for consideration by the house in its scheduled meeting of 10 September 2024.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
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How to Enter the Aviation Industry in South Africa
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Strategy to Resolve Blocked Projects Welcomed, Provided It Is Implemented Effectively
The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements embraced the Department of Human Settlements' intention, in consultation with provinces, to develop a revised strategy to unblock stalled projects. While the strategy is welcomed, the committee highlighted that effective implementation will be the only measure of the strategy's success.
“It is important that the strategy is not merely another grand plan that does not address the plight of the people. It is now time to ensure that plans bear the necessary fruits and result in more housing opportunities for the people,” said Mr Nocks Seabi, the Chairperson of the committee. The committee's emphasis on implementation is premised on the effects of stalled projects, which include wastage of financial resources and increased construction costs that eventually contribute to community frustrations and the erosion of trust.
It is important, according to the committee, that the strategy addresses poor administration, capacity challenges and procurement delays at local government level. “It is unacceptable that there is continued lamentation about lack of skills within the local sphere of government without clear plans to address those deficiencies,” Mr Seabi emphasised.
Also, inadequate project planning and management leads to the appointment of incapable contractors who are unable to deliver projects timeously. The committee reiterated the need to cease using contractors with bad track records in project delivery to ensure delivery of quality products.
The committee welcome the assurance that the strategy will address critical causes of stalled projects by focusing on clear project definitions, legal and contractual clarity, project categorisation, financial frameworks, contracting strategies, implementation and monitoring, and quality assurance. The committee believes that if these elements are achieved, the strategy has the potential to resolve many of the stalled projects.
Upon conclusion of the strategy, the committee will request periodic updates from the department to monitor implementation and ensure results.
Meanwhile, the committee welcomed plans to assist provinces and metropolitan municipalities to improve their financial performance against conditional grants. The committee reiterated its long-held stance that better planning and coordination is central to better performance. “The District Development Model provides a framework for coordination across spheres of government and must be exploited,” Mr Seabi emphasised.
Furthermore, the committee emphasised the need to avoid practices that have previously contributed to underperformance, such as delaying supply chain processes, spending grant funding on projects outside approved business plans, allocating funds for projects not ready for implementation, and not enrolling projects with the National Home Builders Registration Council prior to starting construction
The committee has committed to enhance monitoring grant funding spending to ensure that it achieves its intended use.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
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Councillors equipped with digital skills
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The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has launched the inaugural Broadband and Digital Skills for Municipalities Programme in Polokwane, Limpopo.
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi told participants at the launch that the time is ripe for government to equip councillors with digital skills in order to propel the use of technology to service the nation and grow the economy.
The Broadband and Digital Skills for Municipalities Programme launch drew councillors from the length and breadth of Limpopo and digital experts under one roof.
The DCDT is in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the British High Commission as part of the Declaration of Intent signed between the South African Government and the United Kingdom under the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) Fund.
“The programme aims to empower municipal managers and councillors to steer the deployment of broadband infrastructure in an inclusive manner to reach as many of people as possible, more so those who are digitally disconnected from the rest of the world or have been left behind by many current digital advances.
“In a world where public representatives, more so councillors, are inundated with endless service delivery queries and confronted with hundreds of important decisions to make on their council work daily, having the necessary digital skills will enable them to work smarter, resolve public queries faster and be more accessible to residents,” Malatsi said.
In an effort to ensure that councillors leverage AI capabilities, DCDT, with SALGA and the British High Commission as partners, intends to roll out this programme to all other provinces in the country so as to leave no one behind.
Speaking at the launch event, UK High Commissioner Antony Phillipson emphasised the significant role of digital technology as a catalyst for economic growth and development.
“We know that digital technology is a powerful catalyst for economic growth and development. The impact of digital inclusion can be profound and wide-ranging. This UK-funded project reflects the UK’s commitment to both digital inclusion and partnership with all spheres of the South African government, ensuring that we are leaving no one behind as we transition to a digital future,” Phillipson said.
The launch will be followed by a two-day training for councillors, which will be a continuous exercise to ensure that councillors are well trained to deliver services to communities for sustainable development in the digital economy. – SAnews.gov.za
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Gauteng Legislature honours former Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Pandor
Gauteng Legislature honours former Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Pandor
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature has paid tribute to former ministers, Dr Naledi Pandor and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, in a special sitting of the legislature.
Pandor retired from government following nearly 30 years of service in roles including the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Minister of Higher Education and Training, twice as Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Education.
Dlamini Zuma also served in various positions, including as Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Health from 1994 to 1999 and as Minister of Foreign Affairs before her retirement.
Both played roles in the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa.
Addressing the public gathering, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the two women represent the epitome of what it means to be a South African patriot.
“Our presence today is nothing else but an endorsement for the hard work, the dedication and commitment that they had for our country. They didn’t only love our country, they loved our people. They didn’t only sacrifice for our country, they sacrificed for everyone who is here now to understand that indeed our freedom was not free.
“They represent every epoch of our freedom and every epoch of our revolution. We don’t have silver, we don’t have gold but we have are these words: Thank you. We are indeed indebted to these two powerful women,” he said.
In response, former Minister Dlamini Zuma said: “Defend the gains of the revolution and push the frontiers. You must bequeath to the next generation a better Gauteng and a better South Africa than the one you have”.
Meanwhile, former Minister Pandor said: “There’s a lot of young people who have time to do a great deal of things and if you can change our nation’s thinking of itself…all you need is the will to make the difference”. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Wed, 09/04/2024 - 10:24
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Premier sends condolences to KZN road victims’ families
Premier sends condolences to KZN road victims’ families
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has sent condolences to the families of road accident victims, who passed away in separate motor vehicle accidents in the province.
A two-vehicle collision took place on the R622 Mooi Plaza on Greytown Road over the weekend and claimed the lives of 11 people, while a taxi crash on the R74 Kranskop Road left six people dead and 10 critically injured.
“I would like to extend my profound condolences to the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives due to a fatal head-on collision, which took place on the R622, R74 and N2. It is heartbreaking that we continue to mourn the loss of loved ones as a result of road carnage,” Ntuli said.
The Premier said the causes of the collisions are not yet known, as crash investigators and law enforcement authorities continue to investigate what happened.
The Premier emphasised the importance of daylight driving, as it enhances alertness and visibility.
“I advise South African motorists to exercise great caution when driving at night. Road accident statistics continue to highlight to us that a lot of fatal crashes occur in the nighttime. I would therefore like to continue to echo the importance of daytime driving, especially for long distance travels,” Ntuli said.
The Premier also called on all road law enforcement agencies to execute all possible measures to reduce road carnage across the province.
He emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of all road users, especially during peak travel periods.
Ntuli appealed to the public to adhere to traffic rules, drive responsibly and cooperate with law enforcement officials to create safer roads for all.
The Premier further urged law enforcement to be vigilant, enforce traffic regulations, and increase visibility on all major roads to curb reckless driving, speeding and other violations contributing to road accidents.
“The loss of life due to road accidents is unacceptable, and we must do everything in our power to prevent it. I call upon all law enforcement agencies to strengthen their efforts and work together to ensure that our roads are safe for everyone,” Ntuli said. – SAnews.gov.za
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Forensic report on Postbank referred to the Hawks
Forensic report on Postbank referred to the Hawks
A KPMG forensic report on the Postbank has been referred to the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, in a bid to ensure that those responsible for the crimes are brought to book.
According to a statement by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, Minister Solly Malatsi, received the forensic report on governance and financial breaches at the Postbank which compromised the institution and resulted in financial losses to the value of approximately R89.5 million, during the period 2021 - 2022.
The report was presented to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies by a delegation led by Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele on Wednesday.
The department said the Minister has referred the case to the Hawks.
The KPMG investigation was instituted following the Auditor General of South Africa’s (AGSA) 2021 report which detailed fraudulent activities at the Post Bank. These include multiple incidents of cash theft which have accordingly been reported to the police.
The Ministry has also instructed the Postbank Board to ensure that the recommendations contained in the KPMG report are implemented.
“What makes this cash theft even more repugnant is that some of this money was stolen from vulnerable social grant beneficiaries and ordinary South Africans who were saving for a better future. We will use the full might of the law to fight anyone who dares rob citizens.
"I expect decisive action to ensure that public entities are run ethically and with integrity, for the benefit of our citizens, and not criminals,” Minister Malatsi said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
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