Report of the Portfolio Committee on Safety and Security on Oversight Visit to Western Cape Regarding Service Delivery and Implementation Action Steps of the Firearms Control Act 12 to 14 June 2005, dated 24 August 2005:
BEAUFORT WEST POLICE STATION
Management of the Beaufort West Police Station, led by the Superintendent, briefed the Committee as follows:
The Beaufort West police station serves a 124 176km geographical area with a population of 37 107. There is Satellite police stations in Merwerville and Nelspoort, and additional police stations in Neville and Nelspoort. Beaufort West is divided into 10 Sectors although sector policing is still in its growing phase. The station currently has 3 uniformed police and 2 civilians performing duties in relation to the Firearms Control Act. For the first 6 months of this year the station processed 38 Firearm license renewals and 3 new applications. The police station has 207 staff members and a total of 42 vehicles. Priority crimes at the police station include business and residential burglary, and aggravated and common robbery. Special projects include Nature conservation & education in cooperation with the Karoo National Park, awareness drive (pamphlet distribution) on sexual offences and establishment of sub-forums for the CPF (Community Policing Forum). Both the CPF and union representatives indicated that they have a good working relationship with the station management.
Committee members raised concerns about the inadequate number of bulletproof vests and the availability of a Designated Firearms Officials at the station while training is provided to staff working at the Firearms licensing division. The committee further expressed its concern about the police station’s ability to deal with the public in any language. Other concerns that were raised are:
The number of illegal shebeens
Lack of attention to social crimes
The number of vacant post and equity at the Police Station.
The use of crime kits at crime scenes e.g. Finger print & Rape Kits
The station management responded by saying that the issue of the inadequate number of bulletproof vests is in the process of being address by the Provincial head office. English is the main language used by police members when addressing the public and taking statements. However the language issue remains a challenge at the police station. The police station management admitted that illegal shebeens are a problem and this leads to the high incidents of social crimes. There is however a plan in place to deal with this matter. All vacant post will be filled sometime soon since most have already been advertised. The appointment of females however remains a challenge. Crime kits are frequently used at crime scenes and sent to the forensic laboratory in Beaufort West.
LAINGSBURG POLICE STATION
The Station has a new Station Commander who was redeployed to the station. The policing area consists of 9642 square kilometers. The estimated population is 5 920. The Police station has 46 staff members (of which 7 are civilians), and a total of 8 vehicles. The station has one designated police official (DPO) who’s responsible for dealing with all matters related the new Firearms Control Act. Five new applications for firearms licenses have been processed since January 2005. The police management has a good working relationship with both the Unions and the CPF. There is, however, a lack of trust between the community and the police. The committee was told that the police station is still in need of vehicles, office space and bulletproof vests. The priority crimes at the police station include Assault GBH, Assault common, theft and burglary (residential & business).
Committee members enquiries related to the:
Percentage of crimes that are committed by individuals from other areas.
Kind of vehicles needed
Extent to which bulletproof vests are a problem
Low conviction rates
Use of crime kits by police members
Shooting ranges at Laingsburg
Staff shortage and
Steps taken to improve relationship with the community.
Drug related crime is minimal and problems with individuals from other towns are none existent. The police station presently has 6 functional vehicles, 4 of which have done more then 200 000kms, thus worsening the problem of breakages and vehicle shortages. There is a shortage of bulletproof vests but the Provincial Head office already confirmed that more would be allocated in the near future. The staff shortage exists due to members continuously being transferred. However, 65 uniformed new police recruits will be appointed in the near future. The low conviction rate is due to individuals withdrawing cases. Accredited shooting ranges are in Beaufort West and Ladysmith. Crime kits are extensively used at crime scenes. Laingsburg has been prioritized by the Department of Public Works for additional office space.
TOUWSRIVER POLICE STATION
The Touwsriver Police precinct includes Middeldorp, Mount Crescent, Schoemansville and Steenvliet, with a population of 8 500 people. The Police station has a staff complement of 43 (34 Uniformed members and 10 Civilians) and 7 vehicles. One senior member of police has received training on the new Firearms Control Legislation. The Station management has a good relationship with the CPF and the union representatives at the police station.
The Committee was told that serious crimes, crimes against woman & children and organized crime are prioritized and is decreasing. Detectives’ case loads are on average 95 per month and most of them are assault cases, which are withdrawn before it reaches court. There is an increase in crime during off seasonal periods, due to an influx of people. The office operating hours (8:00 – 17:00) of the clinic contribute to the increased number of death cases. Crime kits are extensively used and sent to Worcester for analysis. Bulletproof vests have been applied for and should be allocated in the near future. Staff shortage is negatively effecting social crime prevention.
DE DOORNS POLICE STATION
The Police station serves an area of 483 square kilometers, with a population of 146 029 people. The human resource component consists of 51 members, and there are 9 vehicles. Six senior police officials are currently undergoing training on the Firearms Control Act. An awareness campaign was held soon after the launch of the act in order to sensitize the community about the new Act. Special projects at the station include training of community members as reservist and for neighbourhood and farm watch. The police station is in need of additional office space, and quad bikes are needed for patrols and crime prevention operations in the informal settlements. Priority crimes at the station include murder, rape and drug dealing. Management at the police station has a good working relationship with the unions and CPF.
There are 24 detectives at the police station and they deal on average with 24 new cases a month. The Designated Police Officer appointed to deal with Firearm licenses does not have a vehicle. The police station is awaiting the new bulletproof vests that were issued.
DEBRIEFING SESSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The delegation held a debriefing session with the SAPS Provincial Management. The debriefing was based on the information received and concerns raised during the separate meetings that were held at different Police Stations. The session focused specifically on:
The inadequate number of bulletproof vests,
Equity at police stations,
Language policy and
Recommendations on the way forward.
8.1 Inadequate number of bulletproof vests
Mr Daniels (Commissioner for Overberg Area) said that the shortage of bulletproof vests is a national problem, which emanates from the supplier that’s unable to keep up with the SAPS demands. However this problem is being attended to.
8.2 Equity at police stations
The Committee expressed its concerns with regard to the low number of females at police stations, in particular those in senior positions. Mr Daniels gave the Committee his assurance that this matter will be attended to.
8.3 Language policy
The committee agreed that this is a matter, which will be taken up at a different level since this policy is not determined by the Provincial Police Management.
9. RECOMMENDATIONS
The Portfolio Committee recommends that:
The status of Beaufort West police station is reconsidered.
The Department of Health and Social Development are consulted regarding the operating hours of the Clinic at Touwsriver.
Report to be considered.