Lungile Ntimba
The government is planning on introducing a number of measures to fight crime and corruption over the next months.
They include adopting the National Police Policy by the end of October, according to Acting Minister in the Presidency, Maropene Ramokgopa.
The policy will address a number of key issues hampering effective policing, including police stations and infrastructure based on norms and standards.
Earlier this week Police Minister Senzo Mchunu told MPs that the Police Ministry and the South African Police Service (SAPS) would hold several meetings to get buy-in from provincial and local government to integrate resources to fight crime in the country.
The cooperative agreements include an operational plan that will eventually be rolled out to the country’s eight metros.
Ramokgopa said on Thursday that the latest quarterly crime statistics “indicated that more still needs to be done to ensure every citizen feels safe”.
She said that the Cabinet remained determined to ensure that South Africans felt safe.
“Government is currently implementing various government approaches to improve collaboration against crime,” Ramokgopa said
The state was also working closely with international partners to share intelligence, track criminal networks and bring offenders to justice.
“Our efforts are particularly focused on protecting vulnerable individuals and businesses who are often the primary targets of extortion” she said.
On extortion, which has increased across the country, Ramokgopa said that communities were being empowered to stand up against extortion through education, support networks and confidential reporting systems.
“The SAPS is being equipped with the latest tools and techniques to combat extortion, including advanced intelligence gathering and specialised task forces, to staying ahead of criminal tactics,” the Cabinet said in a statement.
The country was also learning from international best practices, and working closely with international partners to share intelligence, track criminal records and bring offenders to justice.
INSIDE POLITICS
