News24 | Police intensifies fight against GBV, corruption, and organised crime - Mchunu

From left to right: Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. (@SAPS/X)

• Gender-based violence, corruption and organised crime remain a critical focus for the police, Minister Senzo Mchunu says. 
• Key initiatives include automating police stations, digitising docket systems, and enhancing crime laboratory technologies.
• No amount of money paid would make dockets disappear anymore, Mchunu promised.

The South African Police Service is intensifying its efforts against crime, with gender-based violence, corruption and organised crime at the forefront, Minister Senzo Mchunu has said.

He was speaking during a police summit in Kempton Park, Gauteng, where the top brass from across the country have gathered for three days. President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the opening address on Tuesday.

Gender-based violence, the murder rate, illegal arms trade, drug availability and organised crime also remained priorities for police, Mchunu said. 

He expressed confidence that the police could "substantially minimise", if not eliminate, gang-related violence in the country. The recent increases in kidnappings, extortion, cash-in-transit heists and stock theft also required urgent intervention despite a slight decline in third-quarter crime statistics, he added.

Acknowledging the internal crisis within the police, particularly corruption, Mchunu said more would be done to end this.

"Worrisomely, there is no doubt that corruption within the SAPS requires tackling and dealing decisively with it."

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The minister added that his department would also roll out projects, including automating police stations, digitising docket management systems, and expanding crime laboratories equipped with cutting-edge technology. 

"Very often, we get told the docket has disappeared because people pay some corrupt police for the disappearance of dockets. A docket will not disappear, no matter the amount of money you will pay. No more dockets will disappear," he said.

Resourcing and crime

National police commissioner Lieutenant-General Fannie Masemola said he hoped the summit would bring together experts and practitioners from various departments and industries to improve policing.

While many crimes had been reduced, which was evident in the recent quarterly crime statistics, Masemola conceded that there was still a long way to go.

He said:

Masemola said they had held strategic sessions on resourcing for high-contact crime reduction, empowering police stations that had not been performing well.

"Resourcing within the SAPS is a critical issue affecting the organisation's ability to effectively combat crime, ensure public safety, and maintain law and order," he said.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said they had identified 450 people who were primarily responsible for major crimes, including hijackings, cash heists, orchestrating murders, and vandalising ATMs.

He said 110 of them had been arrested in the last two months, and 15 had been "reconnected with their creator".

"We want to thank the law enforcement agencies, the intelligence community, but most importantly, the private sector that have invested in this programme," he said.

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Lesufi said police, on Monday, had intercepted five suspected criminals travelling from North West to commit crimes in Krugersdorp.

"Four of them have been reconnected with their creator, while the remaining one must explain their actions," he added.

"We are committed to continuing on this trend, and our message is very simple: our work will do the talking, and we are tired of talking."