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Acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia seen at a SAPS press briefing.
The police service in the country is not in a crisis – according to Acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia. He said this in KwaZulu-Natal during a festive season operation oversight visit.
Provincial commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi went public in July with allegations that crime syndicates had links with politicians, and had infiltrated the criminal justice system.
Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu was placed on special leave and President Cyril Ramaphosa instituted the Madlanga Commission to probe the allegations.
Cachalia was addressing police officers taking part in the Safer Festive Season Operation in KZN.
“The South African Police Service (SAPS) is not in a crisis. There are men and women who are engaged in the daily task and improving the safety and security of community across this country in all provinces, from coastline to coastline from Cape Town to Limpopo.”
Cachalia adds, “So the picture that emerges from the Madlanga Commission about policing in South Africa is important because it’s going to tell us a story that it is perhaps difficult to absorb and accept. There are areas that need attention. We need to improve the capabilities, the efficiency and accountability of the South African Police Service.”
Cachalia says the significant decrease in crime over the past year is proof that the police service is not in crisis. He says the SAPS has capable senior managers who can formulate plans to combat crime, and to put them into practice.
“Indeed we can say as a result of the plan that has been adopted and the ability of the South African Police Service under their leadership and your contribution to execute that plan. Crime levels in this province over the last year even though they remain too high, it has come down significantly. And that reflects the national pattern, it was not so long ago that we released the national statistics which shows what’s happening in this province also reflects the national pattern.”
VIDEO | Police visibility programmes helping to eradicate crime: Cachalia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNcFx3XqBIU
