Following the turmoil and looting that rocked the nation last year, the government has pledged to tighten safety measures by bolstering the criminal justice system and hiring more security personnel.
After a year of widespread violence, Thandi Modise, minister of defense and military veterans, provided an update on behalf of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster.
She stated that the government is collaborating with other nations that have cutting-edge criminal justice systems to share best practices.
“We will modify our procedures to ensure that we effectively serve our nation. In addition to these steps, she urged community people to attend Community Policing Forums to combat crime and violence.
In July 2021, South Africa had widespread civil unrest, primarily in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, which destroyed billions from the economy and resulted in 354 fatalities.
Together with all South Africans, we are adamant about preventing a recurrence of this sad period, which was marked by extensive theft, wilful destruction of both public and private infrastructure, as well as disruptions of economic activity, Modise emphasized.
The Minister stated that the cluster was working round-the-clock to put the expert panel’s recommendations, headed by Professor Sandy Africa and appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, into action in order to stop a repeat of the turmoil from July.
The group pointed out some flaws, including the country’s State institutions’ failure to conduct timely risk assessments and alert the police and administration to the imminent violence, according to the Minister.
The experts also discovered that the South African Police Service (SAPS) was unable to control the sizable crowds and put an end to looting and rioting.
To further empower and maintain functional mechanisms at the level of the local policing precinct, Modise stated that the government would examine the resurrection of the Community Policing Forums (CPF).
She said that after two years without training owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Basic Police Training and Development Programme for 10,000 trainees has already begun.
To increase the capability of the SAPS, she stated, “these recruits will be sent to other police stations in December.”
She also stated that during this fiscal year, the Public Order Police (POP) will get an additional 4,000 members.
First responders who are POP members and frontline cops will continue to take refresher courses in crowd control tactics.
Additionally, more money has been put aside for protective equipment.
Additional funds have also been allotted for the modernization of the POP unit, including the purchase of armored vehicles and planes.
The government also intends to put up social cohesion and assistance programs as well as partnerships between the public and the police.
“The JCPS cluster has worked extensively over the past year to ensure that such situations are avoided.”
In order to stabilize the organization, Modise added that qualified individuals have been appointed to leadership roles at the State Security Agency (SSA), including the Director-General and all senior management positions.
The Minister added that many initiatives have been started by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to promote peace in Phoenix, Durban, where 35 people died.
According to Modise, the South African National Defence Force is still ready to support the SAPS in protecting all important national sites as well as the country’s commercial routes.
She pleaded with people not to spread damaging or false material on social media sites since it was being used to incite people to take part in the unrest of 2021.