As the SAPS look for ways to integrate and optimise their existing technologies, the Chairperson has urged them to engage the private sector so as to widen the scope for more solutions
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 13, 2025/APO Group/ --
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, welcomes the service enhancement initiatives announced by the Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, and the National Commissioner. Many of the interventions announced can create the necessary ripple effect needed to combat crime.
The capacitation of both the detectives and crime intelligence units, albeit still far from the capacity needed, is a welcomed intervention as it will ensure that crime is prevented before it happens and is effectively investigated once it has occurred. “Since the establishment of the 7th Parliament, the committee has been at pains to highlight the severe shortages within these critical components. While the 4 000 new detectives and 300 new intelligence operatives is welcomed, the number must be increased over time,” Mr Cameron said.
Furthermore, the prioritisation of the 30 high-contact crime police stations (stations that experience high levels of contact crimes, such as murder, attempted murder, rape, GBVF and assault cases in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and the Eastern Cape) is also a welcome intervention. The committee has always called for an increased focus on the top 30 stations because a reduction in crime rate in those stations will improve the national picture.
The 10111 call centre is a lifeline for victims of crime and the challenges facing the centre has been a major point of concern for the committee. The recruitment of 575 call centre operators will ensure that the system functions optimally for 24 hour, seven days a week. A system without a functional means of communication between the South African Police Service and the people is bound to expose the victims and the Chairperson highlighted his hope that the new recruits will positively contribute to enhancing this intervention. Similarly, the Chairperson welcomed the intention by the SAPS to augment the technological capabilities within the centre to ensure that response times are improved.
Furthermore, the prioritisation of budgets for vehicles must be welcomed in the context that it will ensure stations are able to respond timeously to incidents of crime and improve police visibility. “On a daily basis we encounter members of the community with the same complaint that when they approach the SAPS they are informed of lack of vehicles to respond to incidents of crime. The decision to prioritise police stations and police visibility units will ensure the necessary visibility to prevent crimes,” Mr Cameron emphasised.
The welfare of committed SAPS members has also been a priority area for the committee. The new measures announced by the National Commissioner, from scarce skills allowance to rank progression, will serve as a necessary incentive for the SAPS to continue serving this great country.
The high police-to-population ration was also a concern for the committee, and the recruitment of a further 5 500 officers will assist in reducing the ratio. It is important that there are enough and well-trained officers proportional to the population growth.
The committee has always maintained that crime is not only a police issue but requires a society-wide approach to combat. In line with this, the partnership with Business Against Crime South Africa to enhance technological interventions in crime fighting must be encouraged. As the SAPS look for ways to integrate and optimise their existing technologies, the Chairperson has urged them to engage the private sector so as to widen the scope for more solutions.
The Chairperson noted the splitting of the Visible Policing Division into Visible Policing and Operational Response Services. Also, the splitting of Detective Services and Forensic Services. The promised operational effectiveness will be monitored over time, but the Chairperson has urged that the split should not be cosmetic but geared to deliver enhanced services.
The additional capacity for the Forensic Science Laboratory must also be commended in the context of the importance of scientific evidence in convicting criminals.
Meanwhile, the committee has always called for effective consequence management against rogue police officers who are inclined to participate in criminal activity. “We welcome the dismissal of 392 criminals dressed in police uniform. Effective consequence management is needed to ensure that anyone that is inclined to act in contravention of the law must be surgically removed from the service,” Mr Cameron emphasised.
In line with this call, the Chairperson called on the SAPS management to ensure effective consequence management against Major-General Philani Lushaba who was arrested this morning. “The arrest of Major General Lushaba highlights the need for fit-for-purpose police officer at all levels. While the criminal case continues, the SAPS internal disciplinary process must kick in with urgency,” Mr Cameron concluded.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Yes, well done minister Abdullahi Muhammed, keep up the good job. The world know that where we stand in this struggle.Let the world know again Our independence and separate statehood are not subject to negotiations. Our unilateral declaration of the sovereign state of Somaliland is irreversible. Somaliland belongs to Somalilanders not Somalia.We will defend our motherland to the last drop of blood. God bless Somaliland. " Brother Lynch".
Its not enough to decline the invitaion only. The Somaliland government need to make the case for recognition in no uncertain terms painfully clear for the US government. If our state presidnet and minister of foreign affairs act as if Somaliland is a peaceful part of Somalia where would this passive attitude take us? Peace is not a prerequiste for independence!
we should go and be part of the meeting, i think that it is showing weakness on our pert for not attending, plus it would give us a platform to announce our separatist views, and also we should be part of the war that going on in the south Somalia, we should help the government of sheik sharif, after the shabab and all warlords are defeated we should make clear to president sheak sharif that we want to go our own way and we will always be brothers and always share common interests and even share security but we want our country, i think if that happens we have very good chance of getting what we want, but my view is we should all be in one country with different federal states just like USA, but thats only my views
I am glad the Somaliland Government declined this Invitation, If Somaliland had accepted it, there is no calling our self a separate Country.
How comes Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya was not Invited but Somaliland was?
Because, the congressman was misinformed by his advisors. He was Informed by the advices that Somaliland is still part of the so called Somali republic. And if Somaliland could have agree to this meeting they have legitimized their case. So, I for one, I'm glad Somaliland did not attend.
We are a country and want to be treat like a country not a county.
Well said Fanaanka!
Somaliland should've accepted. I believe the supporters of the Independance of 'Somaliland' are mislead due to what the Siad Barre Administration had undertaken during its rule. Somalis are Somalis whatever happens. We all understand that what happened was wrong and heartless, however we should be united. Our great Grandfather and fathers before that all supported a united Somalia, imagine how they would feel now..Separating a independant Country…
Moreover, 'Somaliland's independace is very unlikely because Somalia itself has to agree to it, and I doubt Somalia wants to be separated along the lines of a brutal history. Somalia is facing great changes now, and we should change with it, align ourselves with the Somali government and become a powerful United Country like before, but by practising Democracy and freedom..
Havn't you wondered why 'Somaliland' hasn't gained recognition for the past 18 years? Even Britain, the evil colonising power, hasn't recognised the colony which it so brutally took hold of, and yet you intend to create a Country under the name of a Colony? The only Country which has lightly recognised 'Somaliland's President as a head of state is 'Ethiopia' the greatest historic enemy of Somalia. Again, havn't you wondered WHY? Well the answer is here: They want to separate Somalia even further, so it becomes divided and weak, paving a way for them to become the strongest power in the Horn of Africa which Somalia used to hold respectively.
My dear brothers, I dont seek to argue, but advise. We are all 100% Somali and 100% Muslim in Somalia. Two things which any Country in Africa or the World would so strongly desire. Yet we want to weaken Somalia even more? Please, take time to think about this, because a new Somalia will emerge soon inshallah, and I, and most others would want north-west Somalia to be part of willingly. May Mogasidhu, Hargeisa, Garoowe and every city in Somalia be united fully. Inshallah.
we all speak Somali language and we are all Muslims should be ingredient to unite us. As far as I am concerned that argument is a non-starter. If language and religion were a uniting factor then the entire Arab world should be one country. I am currently based in the Gulf and here you will find that countries that form Gulf Co-operation Council are so close to each other that literally there is no cultural, religious and language difference between, say, Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar. And yet they are two different countries. ha ha ha ha ha ha
Somaliweyn supporters who like hiding their heads in the sand, here are some facts that you may consider next time before you embarks on another unsuccessful advocacy of that failed union: We will defend our motherland from any outsiders. "Brother Lynch".
we are not like the arabs who number 250-300 million people, we are only 10 million, so if you dived us in to three or four nations we will end up being dominated by the ethiopians and kenyans for ever just like now
Goulled brother i understand you and agree 100% with you, we are many here in somaliland who believe in united somalia, dont mind these separatist who are only looking out for their clan interests not the somalia interest but walahi many here in awdal or in toghdeer are for a united somalia
thats just the most ignorant of all replies i've ever seen. "all the arabs of the penensula are the same"??? you obviously havent studied history nor georgraphy. let me educate your qaldan mind. the egyptians are not the same as the syrians, jordanians and iraqis, they had a civalization going way back before the prophet Mosa (as), the iraqs dont consider them selves as arabs either, their civalization was known as that of babylonia completely different and distinct. they had a language called the akkadanian and sumerian. the syrians have a different history as that of assyeria, the palestineans and the lebanese branch into cannanite (palestinean) and phonecien (lebanese ancient judea)
so please dont give us a bunch of Bulshit by comparing the diverse arabs with the homogenous somali people who have ALWAYS BEEN ONE. go educate yourself.
look at this fool…what an argument, so by your theory, why don't you tell us where Somalis hail from before they became Somalis. stop visiting Somaliland websites, and use your energy to fix the situation in your own country.. a little education is an dangerous thing, a prime example here
SOMALIS are an ethnic group Not a country.
Somaliland will continue on its course for recoghnition no matter how difficult and lenthy tha Road.Indepence is just a step on the Road to Success for our Beloved Country.We are Somalis …But we Also Somalilanders separate and distint.Somaliland First.
Somalia is Somalia there is no such thing as Somaliland. These separatist are dreaming, once a new government comes to Somaliland we will unite with our brothers in the South no matter what. And you arab loving northern Somalis can go back to yeman and leave Somalia to the somalis. If you don't like Somalia then get out of its territories, we don't need tribal scum like you.
By the way i was born in Somalia even though my parents lived in Somaliland.
precisely, somalia is not a ground for breakaway sentiments, if the so called somalilanders wish to have a different nation they can go to the north pole, we wish them all the happyness there. inshaAllah a stable and competent government will arise in the south and when that day comes (which it will sooner or later) somaliland will regret its seccesionist claims. perhaps somalia will want to breakaway from somaliland seeing the complete malice and disregard the somalilands have have for the aling somali people of the south.
either way history will repeat itself. somaliland merged with somalia less than a week after the british left, after somalia gains a new government you will regret your insane plea for recognition and begg to be part of somalia once again. have no doubt about that.
Alla, maxaa rag cabanaya meesha ka buuxa, war ordoo xiniinya iska raadiya oo dalkiina hagaajiya, Somaliland socotay oo rag xiniinyo leh baa xoreeyey
The people of Somalia the do not have clue about political parts like they have been in pass they rather organize by tripe.