Government has joined hands with a number of role-players in the private sector to combat the scourge of crime in the country. The aim is to develop some tangible initiatives, including the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu revealed this in Parliament on Tuesday during the oral question-and-answer session with the Peace and Security Cluster of Cabinet Ministers.
Mchunu says various sister Departments have been roped in as part of the fight. He was quick to say government should forge partnerships with other role-players in fighting crime.
He says this partnership also includes sister departments of government.
“Unleashes with the private sector companies, and we do have another partnership with Transnet and freight rail, passenger rail agency of South Africa (PRASA). So, we have got a number of these partnerships. Overall I must say there is momentum in the number when the majority of cases in these partnerships, in terms of moving up with the fight against crime. I must add that gun dealers manufacturers and gunsmiths are also part of these partnerships in broad. We hope that as we gain momentum, close gaps, and refine some of the issues, we will get more effective in these matters. Thank you.”
A follow-up question to Mchunu was about allegations of collusion between rogue SAPS members and criminals in the private sector.
“All we know and I can state it here. Each time we come across any allegation of any collusion on any matter whether it is with the private sector or the public sector we institute disciplinary actions and in some cases, we suspend. Many such processes are going on. We are intolerant of that completely 100%, and therefore there is no question of us being stopped…there is nothing that can stop us from actually dealing with collusion whatever we come across it we do deal with it. Thank you.”
An additional question relates to the increase of gangsterism in the country.
“The links for instance between the number of gangs in the correctional services and traditional gangs within the communities as well as insecure care facilities remain calls for concern. And I have examples to this effect. It is a call for concern. The response by SAPS and the relevant departments has been ongoing.”
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber asked for more funding for the Border Management Authority to sustain its work – safeguarding the borders. “It’s a good deal for South Africa to invest in the BMA. But we are also not stopping there. So, I go back to the question of collaboration because in the meantime while we are motivating trying to get the resources, we can’t just sit back and say we can’t fix this environment. And that will be clear to answer your question that we have a very long way to go. I think every South Africa knows that. What we are doing at the moment is to collaborate. So, when it comes to the SARS that has been mentioned quite of times. They are operating in the same environment. So, you can leverage the technology and the existing processes at the ports and that’s why the signing of that agreement between BMA and SARS.”
