FREE STATE: DISTRIBUTION OF POLICE PERSONNEL

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1
The distribution and re-distribution of human resources in provinces is the sole responsibility of the Provincial Commissioner and is guided by:

1.1.1
Section 195(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996), which requires the Service to -
be governed by the democratic values and principles enshrined in the Constitution;
promote the efficient, economic and effective use of resources; and provide services impartially, fairly, equitably and without bias.

1.1.2
Section 38(1 )(b) and 45(b) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999), which require the accounting officer and each official in the Service to use the financial and other resources of the Service in an effective, efficient and transparent manner;

1.1.3
Regulation 13(2)(c) and 13(3)(a) of the South African Police Service Employment Regulations, which require the National Commissioner, taking into account the budget based on the medium-term expenditure framework and the strategic plan of the Service, to inter alia:

promote the efficient, economic and effective use of resources; and improve the functioning of the Service.

1.1.4
the Strategic Focus of the Service for 2002 to 2005 and the priorities and operational needs of the Service in the Provinces.

1.2
It is there for the responsibility of the Provincial Commissioner to manage all human resources under his I her command in a province, to monitor and provide guidance to all managers in the distribution and re-distribution of human resources and also to ensure that relevant role-players on provincial and area levels render the necessary support concerning the distribution and re-distribution of human resources in the Province.

1.3
This is done through various structures that were established on provincial, as well as area level. These structures will now be discussed, with mentioning of their mandates, roles; and responsibilities.

2.
FORA / COMMITTEES

2.1
PROVINCIAL CRIME COMBATTING FORUM ~CCF):

2.1.1
This is a forum that was established on provincial level and its purpose is to brief Provincial Management on the prevailing crime threats, by analysing the crime pattern, trends and tendencies as well as using available crime intelligence, so that informed decisions can be made to address each situation head on and timorously. This Forum is chaired by the Provincial Commissioner. The functions of this forum include inter alia the following;

2.1.1.1
To direct and co-ordinate the requirements of all operational role-players to crime priorities following an intelligence-driven approach;

2.1.1.2
This forum meets regularly where operational needs with regard to personnel distribution are discussed.

2.1.2
Personnel needs and issues that were raised by the Provincial Crime Combating Forum are referred to the Provincial Support Services Forum (PSSF) for implementation.

2.2
PROVINCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES FORUM ~SSF)

2.2.1
The purpose of the Provincial Support Services Forum is to co-ordinate issues that specifically relate to Support Services. This Forum is chaired by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner: Management and Support Services. The functioning of this forum includes inter alia the following:

2.2.1.1
To co-ordinate the requirements of all supporting role-players to optimize the utilization of all resources;

2.2.1.2
To meet once a week where operational needs with regard to personnel distribution are addressed; and

2.2.1.3
To deal with personnel related issues, like the distribution and/or re-distribution of human resources, which are then referred to the Provincial Human Resource Utilisation Committee (PHRUC) for implementation.

2.3
PROVINCIAL HUMAN RESOURCE UTILISATION COMMITTEE (PHRUC)

2.3.1
The purpose of the Provincial Human Resource Utilisatiori Committee is to optimize the utilisation of human resources in the province.

2.3.2
The functions of this Committee are as follows:

2.3.2.1
To ensure equal distribution/ re-distribution of human resources in the province in accordance with National, Provincial and local priorities and needs
2.3.2.2
To manage the budget in respect of employment of human resources in the province
2.3.2.3
To monitor the utilisation of human resources in the province; and
2.3.2.4
To address representivity of human resources in the province in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan.

2.3.2.5
This Committee is chaired by the Provincial Head: Human Resources Management and meets on a regular basis.

2.4
IMPLEMENTATION TEAMS

2.4.1
Implementation Teams are formed to compile Implementation Plans to implement specific decisions taken during the meetings mentioned above.

2.4.2
All the above structures are replicated at area level.

3.
GENERAL
3.1
Whenever promotions, especially in the case of officers, are to be considered, the re-distribution of personnel, within budget limits, is addressed by means of placing members where specific needs with regard to crime threats exist.

3.2
In cases where Public Service Act Personnel must be appointed, great emphasis is placed on the replacement of trained functional members by these personnel.

3.3
The appointment of functional members is also addressed according to crime threats, as well as addressing shortages in historically disadvantaged areas.

3.4
The following is a summary of aspects that are taken into consideration in distributing and re-distributing personnel:

3.4.1
Crime threats patterns, trends and tendencies;

3.4.2
Policing priorities;

3.4.3
Current distribution (shortages I surpluses);

3.4.4
Transfer policies;

3.4.5
Personal circumstances of members;

3.4.6
Existing agreements with Labour Organisations; and

3.4.7
Budget constraints.

3.5
The above is an indication that personnel distribution is dealt with in a structured manner and that all relevant factors are taken into consideration during such a process.

4 CLOSURE

4.1
As a closing remark, we as Provincial Commissioners wish to emphasize that we are committed to utilize all personnel in the Service in a cost-effective, efficient and effective manner and the distribution and redistribution of personnel is being effected in a constructive, organised manner, taking all factors into account.


FREE STATE: CONDITIONS OF THE POLICE STATIONS
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
The South African Police Service as an employer has an obligation in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Standing Instructions to provide shelter and sufficient conducive, safe and secure office space to each and every member of the Service as an employee. Therefore accommodation in the South African Police Service is one of the most crucial commodities to provide, based on the historical background we come from and the budgetary constraints we find ourselves in. To conform to the principles of BATHO PELE the employer should endeavor to make the workplace conducive, safe and secure to its
employees.

1.2
The Free State Province is no exception in this regard, my Management Team and ~ always strive to meet the expectations of our members in providing them the best possible accommodation we can to optimize their service to the community we serve.

2.
CATEGORIZATION OF POLICE STATIONS
2.1
The 107 police stations in the Free State Province are categorized into three categories, namely those that are in:-

2.11
Good condition:

2.1.1.1
25 (23,36%) police stations in the Free State Province are in a good condition. A list of these police stations is attached as per Annexure A.

2.1.2
Average condition:

2.1.2.1
171 (66,35%) police stations in the Free State Province are in an average condition.
A list of these police stations is attached as per Annexure B.

2.1.3
Unacceptable condition:

2.1.3
111 (10,28%) police stations in the Free State Province are in an unacceptable
condition. I will now discuss the Police Stations, in this category with reasons why they are seen as unacceptable, what initiatives are in place to address the situation and problems experienced. This will be dealt with in two categories, namely Capital Works: National Level and Capital Works: Regional Level.

2.1.3.2
Capital Works. National Level:

2.1.3.2.1
This category represents a budget that is being managed by the Department of
Public Works on National level which is above R 5 million bracket. The
Police Stations are

2.1.3.2.1.1
THABONG
Thabong Police Station is one of the fourteen (14) Police Stations in the country that were classified by the State President in his State of the Nation address during the year 2000 and is the only of such stations in the Free State Province. The Building that we occupy is a former Municipal Police Station building and belonging to the Matjabeng Municipality. The South African Police Service is about to finalise the purchase and transfer of the building possibly during April this year. Members at the Police Station availed money out of their pockets to paint the Police Station, while an amount of R 20 000-00 was received from the South African Police Service Development Fund which is also the members own contribution to modify' the Victim Support Centre and Community Service Centre. An investigation is also in progress to convert the barracks into office accommodation. The State will only commence to do spending on the building after the transfer of the building from the municipality to government.

2.1.3.2.1.2
BATHO
This is a very old Police Station and the working conditions of members at this station is very poor. Several local newspapers reported on the poor condition of this Police Station, and a negative impact on the image of the South African Police Service was made. The tender for the construction of a new Police Station and bachelor flats closed on 12 December 2001. The recommendation for the allocation of the tender is currently at the State Tender Board for approval. It is expected that the tender will be awarded during April 2002.

2.1.3.2.1.3
KAGISANONG
This Police Station comprises of a 3 bed roomed house and have no holding cell facilities. The Detectives are accommodated in a leased building, which is dilapidated. The Department of Public Works, in consultation with the South African Police Service and the Community Police Forum, is currently in the process of identifying a site for the building of a new Police Station. It is estimated that the new Police Station will be erected during the 2004/2005 financial year.

2.1.3.2.1.4
VENTERSBURG
Ventersburg is a very old Police Station and is also situated in town. The Police Station provides insufficient accommodation for the members and has poor holding cells that were closed down due to their condition. A site for the building of a new Police Station has already been identified and forwarded to the Police Head Office. It is estimated that the new Police Station will be erected during the 2004/2005 financial year at Mmamahabane a former township of Ventersburg.

2.1.3.2.1.5
KOFFIEFONTEIN
This Police Station building have been declared a Historical Monument, it has to be kept on its present form to preserve history. No structural changes to modify' this building can be made. A site for the building of a new Police Station has not yet been identified, but the project is currently number I on the Provincial priority list for the construction of a new Police Station and a Cell Block. It is estimated that the erection of the new Police Station will commence during the 2004/2005 financial year.

2.1.3.2.1.6
SPRINGFONTEIN
After consultation with the Community Police Forum and the unions, sites numbers 476 and 478 were identified for the construction of a new Police Station. The information is currently with the Divisional Commissioner, Logistics: Facility Management for attention. This project is in the Planning Phase and it is estimated that this project will commence during the 2005/2006 financial year.

2.1.3.2.1.7
BRONVILLE
The building does not provide sufficient accommodation for all the members. The building is leased and comprises of two state houses transformed into offices. A site for the building of a new Police Station has not yet been identified, but the project is currently number 2 on the Provincial priority list for the construction of a new Police Station and a Cell Block. The MEC for Public Safety, Liaison and Communication is currently busy negotiating with the Matjabeng Municipality to obtain funds to upgrade the building. It is, however, estimated that the erection of the new Police Station will commence during the 2005/2006 financial year.

2.1.3.3
Capital Works. Regional Level:
This category represents a budget that is being managed by the Department of
Public Works at Provincial level and is estimated at more or less R 5 million.
The following police stations fall within this category

2.1.3.3.1
MELODING
The Police Station is housed in municipal offices which provides insufficient accommodation and also have no holding cell facilities. The former Municipal Police was housed in this building. Negotiations were made to obtain adjacent buildings, but without success. The general condition of the building is poor and the Municipality is not prepared to make funds available for the renovation of this building. Negotiations with the Mayor of Meloding personally is also being done in order to obtain Municipal offices adjacent to the police station for utilisation by the South African Police Service.

2.1.3.3.2
GARIEPDAM
The building structure is of asbestos panels made which was built during 1966 with a life span of 5 years. The construction is in a poor condition, which is unacceptable in that it holds a health risk for the personnel stationed at this Police Station. Negotiations are currently underway to utilise a building that is about 400 metres from the present Police Station. The envisaged building belongs to the ~traffic Department and is currently not optimally utilised. No plannings for a new building are made. One should mention it that due to the new Local Provincial Government demarcation, the Provincial Government has development plans for this area which tells us that we must keep up with that pace to stay above board..

2.1.3.3.3
MAOKENG
The main problem at the Police Station is overcrowding. An alternative building across the road from the Police Station was identified for the Detectives. The Department of Public Works has entered into a lease agreement for five years with the Town Council of Kroonstad. An amount of R 400 000 was made available from the Department of Public Works to upgrade these additional offices for the Detective Service.

2.1.3.3.4
VREDEFORT
This Police Station building have been declared a Historical Monument therefore it has ~o be kept on its present form to preserve history. No structural changes to modify this building can be made. Due to the building's age, roof leaks and foundation, problems are experienced. At this stage nothing can be done to the building before an approval from the Board of Museums is obtained.

3.
PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED

3.1
A huge problem we face is that we inherited a history whereby all police stations, big and small, were built in towns, while no, or only few Police Stations were built in former townships. After the amalgamation of the different agencies into one South African Police Service, the then Municipal Police was also amalgamated. The offices they utilised were converted into Satellite Police Stations while nobody really took the responsibility to look after the buildings I wish to emphasise here that these buildings can also not really be utilised as Police Stations, because they still belong to different municipalities and are not in a satisfactory condition. The process to build new Police Stations is a long one and the importance of building new Police Stations at these former townships cannot be over-emphasized. The following are examples of Police and Satellite Stations that are currently being utilized:
Zamdela
Bronville (addressed under Police stations)
Thabong (addressed under Police stations)
Meloding (addressed under Police stations)
Kagisanong (addressed under Police stations)

3.1.1
A possible solution will be the building of new Police Stations in the previously disadvantaged areas in order to bring the police to the community. It is a fact that most crimes are committed at these areas while the Police Stations are currently in the towns, we will not be able to address the needs of the community to the fullest.

3.1.2
One step to the right direction is that a new police station was built at Thumahole, which was a Satellite Police Station in a historically disadvantaged area. This Police Station was built from RDP funds. This Police Station was officially opened on 9 March 2001.

3.2
In most instances, members are also paying out of their own pockets, or utilising money from the different Sport and Tea Clubs to finance repairs, renovations and painting of their offices and Community Service Centres

3.3
A huge problem is the fact that the South African Police Service is dependent on the Department of Public Works to avail funds for all the Capital Works, Repairs and Renovations. A possible solution for this problem can be the allocation of a budget to the South African Police Service to address their own needs and not be dependent on another Department.

3.4
Another problem we experience is the red tape in obtaining service, especially the delays in tender and other procedures.

4.
GENERAL
4.1
Of the 107 Police Stations in the Province 9 Stations has no detention facilities. Of the 98 Police Stations that have detainee facilities, 41 are currently being upgraded or in the process to be upgraded to Project Five Star. A list of Police Stations without cells is attached as Annexure C.

5.
CONCLUSION
5.1
In order to address issues of accommodation, I established a Provincial and an Area Accommodation Committees with the purpose to act as an early warning and to act as speedily as possible to address the accommodation problems. The Chairperson of this Committee is the Deputy Provincial Commissioner:
Management and Support Services. The functions of this Committee are as follows:

51 1
To advise the Provincial Commissioner on all accommodation issues

5.1.2
To annually compile an accommodation priority list for the Province

5.1.3
To form a Project Team to investigate new accommodation for lease purposes and;

5.1.4
To ensure the effective and optimal utilisation of all accommodation in the Province

5.2
As can be seen from this report, substantive progress, despite the areas of concern, has been made with the improvement of the working conditions of our members. As management of the Free State Province we are committed to maintain the highest possible standard and to address the concerns that I have mentioned above, it would be appreciated if the Honourable Portfolio Committee can in one way or the other influence assistance in this regard.

ANNEXURE A

POLICE STATIONS IN GOOD CONDITION
1 Kestell
2. Paul Roux
3 Clarens
4. Reitz
5. Fouriesburg
6. Warden
7. Makwane
8. Tseseng
9. Vrede
10. Villiers
11. Tweeling
12. Clocolan
13. Winburg
14. Hobhouse
15. Kommissiepoort
16. Botshablo
17. Boithuso
18. Selosesha
19. Bainsvlei
20. Virginia
21. Theunissen
22. Tumahole
23. Bothaville
24. Deneysville
25. Odendaalsrus


ANNEXURE B

POLICE STATIONS IN AVERAGE CONDITIONS
1. Bethlehem
2. Senekal
3 Harrismith
4. Memel
5. Phuthaditjaba
6. Namahadi
7. Tseki
8. Frankfort
9. Cornelia
10. Roadside
11. Ficksburg
12. Marquard
13. Rosendal
14. Ladybrand
15. Tweespruit
16. Excelcior
17. Bayswater
18. Bethulie
19. Bloemspruit
20. Boshof
21. Brandfort
22. Dealesville
23. Dewetsdorp
24. Edenburg
25. Fauresmith
26. Glen
27. Goedemoed
28. Heidedal
29. Hertzogville
30. Jacobsdal
31. Jagersfontein
32. Luckhoff
33 Navalsig
34. Parkroad
35. Petrusburg
36. Phillipolis
37. Reddersburg
38. Rouxville
39. Smithfield
40 Steunmekaar
41 Soutpan
42. Thaba Nchu
43. Tierpoort
44. Tromp sburg
45. Verkeerdevlei
46. Wanda
47. Wepener
48. Zastron
49. Steynsrus
50. Vierfontein
51. Wesselsbron
52. Viljoenskroon
53. Kroonstad
54. Arlington
55. Bultfontein
56. Heilbron
57. Hennenman
58. Hoop stad
59. Parys
60. Welkom
61. Sasolburg
62. All anridge
63. Heunigspruit
64. Koppies
65. Lindley
66. Verkykerskop
67. Van Stadensrus
68. Edenville
69. Oranjeville
70. Petrus Steyn
71. Viljoendrif

ANNEXURE C

POLICE STATIONS WITHOUT CELLS
1. Roadside
2. Batho
3. Kagisanong
4. Arlington
5. Bronville
6. Meloding
7. Oranjeville
8. Thabong
9. VentersburL