SAPS Annual Report 2011/12: Visible Policing; Crime Intelligence, Protection & Security Services

Meeting report

Programme 2: Visible Policing presentation
General Mangwashi ‘Riah’ Phiyega, National Police Commissioner, in her background information to the presentation stated that SAPS was making the presentation at a time when its visible policing continued to be under attack as SAPS members have continued to be shot and killed in recent months. Despite that, SAPS was working very hard and remained committed to its work.

Lt General Fanie Masemola, Deputy National Commissioner: Operations, stated that the purpose of the Programme was to enable police stations to institute and preserve safety and security, provide for specialised interventions and the policing of South Africa’s borders. The Programme’s strategic objective was to discourage all crimes by providing a proactive and responsive policing service that would reduce the levels of priority crimes. The Programme comprised of three sub-programmes: crime prevention, border security and specialised interventions. In 2011/12, SAPS spent the sum of R21.58 billion on crime prevention, R1.26 billion on border security and R1.91 billion on special interventions. The total amount spent on the Programme being R24.76 billion. There was an increase in the spending performance from R23.4 billion (2010/11) to R24.7 billion (5.6%). The total establishment figure for the Programme increased from 97 693 (2010/11) to 109 053 as at 31 March 2012. On crime prevention, R75.2 million was spent on mounted units, R543.7 on dog units, R642.8 million on railways, R799.5 million on 10111 centres and flying squad and R218.2 million on detainees (meals and medical). On border security, R13.3 million was spent on transport assets, R34.5 million on fuel, R18.7 million on maintenance and repair of vehicles and R19.8 million on subsistence and travel (S&T - mainly detached duties). On specialised interventions, R52.8 million was spent on Task Force, R1.245 billion on public order policing and national intervention units, R129.7 million on tactical response teams and R141.9 on the Air Wing. The sum of R1.109 billion was spent on fuel and oil for the Programme. Approximately R123 million was spent on the security deployments for the 2011 local government election.

Crime Prevention sub-programme
The objective was to discourage all crimes by providing a proactive and responsive policing service that would reduce the levels of priority crimes. Priorities included: reduce the levels of serious crime, including contact crimes and trio crimes (house robbery, business robbery and hijackings) and crimes against women and children. One target was to reduce the number of reported serious crimes by 2%. Overall, serious crime decreased from 1 839 645 in 2010/11 to 1 825 548 reported crimes in 2011/12, a marginal decrease of -0.8%. In terms of the ratio per 100 000 of the population, serious crime decreased from 3,679.9 per 100 000 of the population to 3,608.7, a decrease of -1.9%. A second target was to reduce the number of contact crimes by 4 to 7% (the target was between 649 387 and 629 093 cases). Overall, contact crime decreased from 638 468 reported crimes in 2010/11 to 623 486 reported crimes in 2011/12, a decrease of -2.3%. In terms of the ratio per 100 000 of the population, contact crime decreased from 1,277.2 to 1,232.5 per 100 000 of the population in 2011/12, a decrease of -3.5%. Thus, the target was not achieved. A third target was to reduce the number of trio crimes by 4 to 7%. Overall, trio crime increased from 42 183 to 42 192 reported crimes in 2011/12. The target was not achieved. The sub-programme also sought to reduce the number of reported serious crimes within the rural environment by 2%. Overall, serious crime decreased from 711 315 reported crimes to 540 050 reported crimes in 2011/12. In terms of the overall raw figures, serious crimes in the rural environment decreased by -24.1% during 2011/12. In terms of the ratio per 100 000 of the population, serious crime decreased from 1 422.9 per 100 000 of the population to 1 067.6 per 100 000 in 2011/12 (-25.0%). The target was therefore achieved.

The priorities of the sub-programme were also to improve police response and police visibility/patrolling in identified hot spots; increase police actions to address stolen/lost firearms, stolen/robbed vehicles, illicit drugs and liquor and compliance with the Second-Hand Goods Act (No 6 of 2009). The sub-programme sought to increase the number of recoveries as a result of policing by focussing on certain key areas. The sub-programme sought to increase recoveries in stolen and lost firearms by 3% (7 597 firearms). 8 744 stolen and lost firearms with serial numbers, which could be linked to firearm owners in South Africa, were recovered during 2011/12. Thus, the target was achieved. The sub-programme also sought to increase recoveries in stolen and robbed vehicles by 3% (39 168 vehicles). 30 437 stolen and robbed vehicles which could be identified by means of primary and secondary identifiers were recovered in 2011/12. The target was not achieved because some vehicles are sold in chop shops and parts with identification get destroyed. There was also collusion between owners and syndicates at ports of entry where vehicles never return. There was also corruption at the borders and borderlines resulting in massive ‘exports’ of vehicles. The programme also sought to increase recoveries of illicit drugs by 3% (the target being 185 107kg of cannabis, 72 424 mandrax tablets, 66kg of cocaine and 33kg of crystal meth (Tik-Tik). Overall, 137 935 509 kg cannabis, 630 589 cannabis plants, 127 680 mandrax tablets, 44,571kg cocaine, 107,418kg crystal meth (Tik-Tik) and 15,294kg whoonga were recovered. The target was achieved. The sub-programme also sought to increase the volume of confiscated liquor by 10% (1 677 042 litres) Overall, 1 096 694,944 litres of liquor was confiscated in 2011/12. The target was not achieved because the modus operandi of illegal traders was that, since they were aware that their premises might be closed down as a result of police action, less liquor was kept at a premise and liquor volumes also fluctuate on a daily basis. Furthermore, the liquor boards had legalised more premises additional to the previous year. The sub-programme also sought to increase the recovery of state-owned firearms by 3% (1 298 firearms). Overall, 358 state owned firearms were recovered. The target was not achieved because SAPS procedures aimed at reducing the loss of firearms had resulted in fewer firearms in circulation for recovery. Further, it was difficult to determine ownership of recovered firearms where identity marks were filed off.

The sub-programme sought to reduce the incidence of stolen and lost firearms by 3% (11 622 cases). Overall, 9 105 firearms were reported as stolen or lost during 2011/12. The target was achieved. The sub-programme sought to reduce the number of stolen and robbed vehicles by 7% (76 874 cases). Overall, 66 572 vehicles were reported stolen / robbed in 2011/12. The target was achieved. Another target was to increase the closure of identified unlicensed/illegal liquor premises by 100%. Overall, 92 929 identified unlicensed/illegal liquor premises were closed down. The target was achieved. The sub-programme sought to reduce the number of escape incidents from police custody by 50% (301 incidents). Overall, 810 escape incidents were recorded during 2011/12. The target was not achieved because policies and procedures were not adhered to. There was also inadequate infrastructure at various police holding facilities. For crime awareness campaigns, the target was the conducting of four izimbizos. Six izimbizos were conducted during 2011/12. The target was achieved.

▪ Firearms Control Act implementation: the target was to finalise outstanding applications for firearm licences, permits, authorisations and renewals (100% of the backlog by 31 July 2011). 1 080 696 applications that were part of the backlog were finalised at the end of August 2011. Thus, the target was achieved. The target date was delayed by one month (catering for the mop-up verification process). The figure of 1 080 696 is inclusive of 20 316 backlog applications that were cancelled or blocked on the Enhancement Firearm Registration System (EFRS) due to the fact that these applicants could not be traced. The target for finalising new applications for firearm licences, permits, authorisations and renewals was within 90 calendar days, 98 417 of 125 388 applications were finalised within 90 calendar days (78.5%). Thus, the target was not achieved. This figure is inclusive of applications approved, refused, cancelled and incorrectly captured.

▪ Domestic Violence Act and the National Instruction implementation: it was found during inspections that SAPS members did not comply with the provisions of the Act. Therefore, a National Action Plan to enhance compliance was adopted and provided for the following focus areas: considering changes to the Act and NI, enhanced reporting and improved first level supervision and monitoring. Provincial Commissioners were also instructed to take disciplinary steps against members who did not comply. Overall, the total number of incidents of non-compliance reported in relation to domestic violence was 221, with Western Cape having the highest number of 186 incidents.

▪ Child Justice Act implementation: this is monitored through National and Provincial inter-sectoral child justice committees reporting to the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster. SAPS provided services at existing ‘One Stop Child Justice Centres’. A work study investigation on services at One Stop Child Justice Centres was completed. New police stations were in terms of the blueprint equipped with victim support room facilities. Stations without rooms managed the situation in terms of available resources, either park homes or other community facilities such as Thutuzela Care Centres. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)/volunteers assisted with the debriefing of trauma victims. Supply Chain Management was in the process of procuring park homes for police stations without victim support rooms. During the reporting period, an order was placed for the procurement of 79 park home facilities to be utilised as ‘Victim Friendly Rooms’ (VFRs). The delivered park homes did not meet the original specifications; so the delivery process was reversed and this had an adverse impact on the intended dedicated and professional ‘Victim Friendly Support’ (VFS) by the targeted police stations without adequate space. The total number of VFR in 2011/12 was 925.

▪ Community Police Forums (CPFs): quarterly reports were provided jointly by SAPS and community police structures on the functioning of CPFs. CPF Boards at cluster, provincial and national level assisted SAPS in addressing the functioning of CPFs. Out of 1 125 police stations, 1 122 had CPFs structures in place, only three stations did not have CPFs.

▪ Rural Safety Strategy: the Rural Safety Strategy was approved by the Minister of Police and National Police Commissioner during June 2011. The Rural Safety Strategy was presented to the JCPS and the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) to promote an integrated approach during August/September 2011. A JOINTS Instruction was drafted and distributed to all Provincial Commissioners (PCs) for implementation of the Strategy during October 2011. The Strategy was officially launched in the Free State during July 2011. The Operational Concept (Stock Theft Pilot Project) was implemented during February/March 2012. The Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) was finalised and approved to guide a multi-disciplinary approach in dealing with Stock Theft and Rural Safety during November 2011.

▪ Reservists: A National Instruction and draft Regulations were finalised in early 2011.The Reservist Policy was still to be finalised by the Civilian Secretariat of the Police. Once the policy document is finalised by the Civilian Secretariat of Police, SAPS would be required to align the operational instruction with the final approved policy and SAPS would be ready for implementation and rollout. The establishment of the Reserve Police Force stood at 64 360 at the end of March 2011 and 51 927 at the end of March 2012.

▪ 10111 Centres: not all Incident Reports (IRs) numbers selected at station level could be linked to dockets. The number of positive complaints IRs was 912 321, the number of positive complaints IRs resulting in cases (links made) was 311 677. In total, 11 077 203 calls were received by the 20 SAPS 10111 call centres in 2011/12 (1 342 702 more calls than in 2010/11). Only 484 (42.8%) police stations of the 1 130 are currently linked to the 10111 call centres. There is presently a pilot project in the Gauteng province (10111 call centre) on General Emergency Management Command and Control Centre (GEMC3) and it is envisaged to be rolled out nationally. With regards to sector policing, there were challenges and steps were taken to address them. The NI 2/2009 was reviewed by National and Provincial role players. The challenges in the rural areas are being addressed with the implementation of the Rural Safety Strategy. Sector policing was implemented at 1 056 (93.86%) of the 1 125 police stations.

▪ Railway policing: there are 12 railway police stations in Gauteng, four in the Western Cape, three in the Eastern Cape, five in Kwazulu Natal and 10 Gautrain stations.

▪ Escapes from police custody: a National Plan with guidelines was issued in October 2011 to prevent escapes. A mechanism was created between cluster departments, for example, Departments of Justice and Constitutional Development, Correctional Services and Health to address prevention measures (management of Awaiting Trial Detainees Task Team established on National Level within JCPS). The number of escape incidents was 810 in 2011/12 compared to 478 for 2010/11. There is no need for a memorandum of understanding between SAPS and the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), due to the commitment given by DCS at the JCPS cluster to implement the Correctional Matters Amendment Act (No 5 of 2011). SAPS identified, on a quarterly basis, police stations where more than one incident of escape occurred or where multiple escapees escaped. SAPS enforced compliance regarding cell visits by members. Visits were conducted to these police stations to assess the circumstances of the escapes and instituted corrective measures. 51 police stations were visited during 2011/12. Where members were found not complying with standing orders and standard operation procedures aimed at the prevention of escapes, disciplinary action was taken. With regards to the 323 disciplinary cases that were opened, 175 were found guilty and 21 members were dismissed. Processes were activated to address infrastructural challenges at police holding cells and Community Service Centres (CSC).

▪ Police murders: 81 SAPS members were murdered countrywide during 2011/12 (38 on duty and 43 off duty). The total of 81 represents a decrease of 12 murders (12.9% ) compared to the 93 murders during 2010/11. Gauteng recorded the highest provincial total of 21 murders (25.9%), followed by Eastern Cape with 15 murders (18.5%).

▪ SAPS 13 stores: An Instruction was issued to all PCs to upgrade existing safes, conduct destruction four times per annum, assess dockets to ensure disposal, safeguard and minimise loss / theft of exhibits and minimise the risk, capacitate stations to effectively contribute to the clearance of SAPS 13 stores. Stations with 500 or more firearms were visited to assess, intervene and assist. A total of 184 572 firearms were in SAPS 13 stores in 2011/12. The total number of firearms disposed of was 83 429. The total number of Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) tests conducted on firearms in SAPS 13 stores was 26 573 and the total number of etch tests conducted on firearms in SAPS 13 stores was 6 365.

Border Security sub-programme
The priorities were the seizure of illegal firearms, stolen/robbed vehicles, illicit drugs and illegal goods, the arrest of undocumented persons and perpetrators involved in the smuggling of illegal firearms, stolen vehicles, drugs and illegal goods and human trafficking, and transferring of borderlines to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in a co-ordinated manner. One target was to increase planned crime prevention and combating actions at South African borders by 3% (3 926 planned crime prevention and combating actions). Overall, there were 4 430 actions in 2011/12. The target was achieved. A second target was to ensure that SANDF took over the Free State and Eastern Cape borderlines. The Maluti and Lundeansnek borderline bases on the Eastern Cape borderline and the Fouriesburg borderline base on the Free State borderline were handed over to the SANDF in 2011/12. The target was achieved. For ports of entry, there were 4430 planned crime prevention and combating actions. 91 persons were arrested for firearms, 22 for ammunition, 197 for illicit drugs, 20 463 for violation of the Immigration Act.

Efforts to combat corruption at ports of entry are dealt with within SAPS National Anti-Corruption Strategy. The Movement Control System (MCS) identifies wanted and suspected people and stolen vehicles. SAPS initiated Corruption Awareness Programmes where learning sessions were conducted by PALAMA that included all role players in the border environment. Investigations were conducted by several detectives and included reports to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (DPCI) where further investigations were required. Several reports concerning suspected corrupt activities by government officials at ports of entry were forwarded for further investigation. There were 25 arrests for corruption at ports of entry; six persons were arrested in Mpumalanga, five in Gauteng, nine in KwaZulu Natal, two in the North West, one in the Free State and two in Limpopo. Criminal and Departmental hearings for the 12 arrested police officials was conducted. Of the 25 persons arrested: 12 were police officials from border policing, five immigration officials, six members of the public, one South African Revenue Service (SARS) official and one BOSASA security member posted at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA).

Specialised Intervention sub-programme
Priorities were to provide a rapid response capability for intervening in dangerous and potentially dangerous situations where normal policing requires additional support by focussing on public unrest situations (labour disputes, service delivery protest actions) and serious crime incidents and to minimise security violations during the protection of valuable / dangerous cargo. The target was to stabilise medium to high-risk incidents by 100%. 14 096 incidents were attended to and stabilised. Thus, the target was achieved. A second target was to increase the percentage of safe delivery of valuable / dangerous cargo by 100%. Protection was provided to 221 cargoes. The target was achieved. A Public Order Police (POP) Policy was in introduced by the Minister in 2011. A work study was commissioned to realign the POP structure to the Constitution to ensure the rendering of a public order policing service. A POP Resource Model was developed to indicate minimum generic resource needs for POP Units. In relation to SAPS Air Wing, the Air Wing had an accumulated 7 730 hours (6 383 operational hours and 1 347 communication hours) in 2011/12. It carried out 873 arrests. SAPS Air Wing had 45 pilots and 49 aircrafts. A project was put in place to increase the number of previously disadvantaged members trained as pilots. Two pilots successfully completed their training in the United States. The Designated Pilot Programme comprised of 15 fully trained pilots.

Discussion
Ms M Molebatsi (ANC) asked why there were so few state-owned firearms that were recovered. SAPS had a target of recovering 1 289 but they recovered only 358. She asked what the word ‘unfounded’ meant in relation to domestic violence. How did they address the problem of illicit drugs because they said that the station commanders were not complying with procedures? In their visits to police stations did they sit and let them give their reports or did they do physical inspections? She asked if the Sector Policing Forums (SPFs) were functional.

Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) stated that the number of escape incidents (801) was high. SAPS had promised a year ago that it would cut the number of escape incidents by 50% in 2011/12. How many had been recaptured? SAPS did not meet their target for firearms. The Committee needed details of the backlog. Were there particular provinces having this problem. The number of reservists had reduced between 2010/11 and 2011/2012. People who were willing to be reservists were turned away by SAPS. Why were civilians being turned away? She did not see SAPS reservists being treated with the same respect as reservists in the defence force. There was a claim that the reservists were asked to be security guards and not do crime prevention. There were also claims that some of them were being paid as security guards. There were claims of increased SAPS interference in CPFs. Instead of being oversight bodies that work with SAPS, they were being seen as bodies that should be controlled by SAPS. The Stock Theft strategy was failing. Did they link the Stock Theft unit with other units dealing with rural safety? What was happening there because there was nothing she could see? The 10111 Centres need attention. How many quality checks did they do on them?

Mr M George (COPE) stated that of the recovered 358 firearms stolen from the state, close to 300 were from SAPS. He asked what they were doing about this as very few SAPS members had been disciplined for this. What was SAPS doing about non-compliance with the Firearms Control Act? The number of incidents of reported non-compliance with the Domestic Violence Act in the Western Cape was 186. What was the reason and what had they done about this? SAPS had said that the challenges on sector policing were being addressed. Sector policing was not functioning, some stations complained about not having vehicles, even if they did have personnel. When did they think they could resolve this? Mr George asked for clarity on what was meant by ‘high risk incidents’. Some of the areas where incidents had been attended to by SAPS had not been stabilised. The domestic violence non-compliance problem was due to the attitude of SAPS members on the issue. People were scared to go to police stations to report domestic violence because of fear of being ridiculed by police officers at the stations. How was SAPS going to deal with the issue of attitude that had been there within SAPS for years? In rural villages there were people who live from stock breeding. The problem was that every time they call the police over an incident, they were told that there were no vehicles.

Ms P Mocumi (ANC) noted that the target for reducing the number of escapes was not achieved because of non-compliance with procedures. Whose responsibility was it to ensure that procedures were complied with and what happened when procedures were not complied with? SAPS discovered during inspection of police stations that SAPS members did not comply with the Domestic Violence Act. There were three provinces that were complying, why did they not learn from them? Ms Mocumi requested a breakdown of the 79 park homes according to provinces and regions. SAPS started the implementation of the Stock Theft Pilot Project in February 2012. How long would it be a pilot project; when did SAPS hope to get results? With regards to escapes: 323 disciplinary cases were opened, 175 SAPS members were found guilty and 21 members were dismissed. Was it 21 of the 175 cases, and what happened to the other cases?

Mr P Groenewald (FF) stated that the SAPS presentation seemed to show that there was no backlog with regards to firearms application. Were there no backlogs anymore because it was not what he experienced in reality? Legislation on second hands goods was enacted in 2009 and it was not being implemented by SAPS. How many years would it take to implement it? There was an increase in the number of escapes. 175 officials were found guilty and 21 were dismissed. 21 officials represent about 13% of the people found guilty. 12 officials were punished with regards to corruption at border posts. In which way were they punished and what specific disciplinary actions were taken? The Rural Safety Strategy was part of sector policing. Give us the breakdown of the different provinces and where it was not being implemented. Why and when would it be implemented? Firearms applicants had been complaining that their applications were being rejected and their inquiries on the reasons for the rejection were not being answered. How many applications were rejected because they needed more information from the applicants? Could they get a rational report on the rational reasons why SAPS was not complying with these different Acts?

Mr V Ndlovu (IFP) noted that SAPS said there was no aircraft to spray dagga because the aircraft crashed. Did it mean that during the whole year there was no aircraft to do the job? He asked if the South African that was killed on a peacekeeping mission in Sudan was a SAPS member. On co-ordination of drug related issues close to schools which were to be free drug areas, was there any collaboration between SAPS and the Departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and Training because most of the people involved with drugs were young people? Were there any challenges with the Designated Firearms Officers (DFO)? What were the challenges because according to the Act every police station should have a DFO? Is there any co-ordination between SAPS and other departments on the abalone issue? SAPS stated that 20 463 persons were arrested for violation of the Immigration Act at ports of entry. Who were they and where were they? SAPS detectives that had appeared before the Portfolio Committee talked about Swaziland, Botswana in relation to recovery of vehicles at ports of entry. SAPS stated that 409 vehicles were recovered at ports of entry. Where were the vehicles found and what happened about the owners?

Ms D Sibiya (ANC) asked what SAPS was doing about not meeting its targets for trio crimes and the recovery of stolen vehicles. What was the reason for the non-compliance with sector policing in the Eastern Cape? Why was there non-compliance with procedures for cell visits?

The Chairperson stated that the National Commissioner could not blame the Portfolio Committee for not having sympathy for SAPS with regards to its Programme 2. Members were right about sector policing as it was taking decades to be implemented. They were now sitting with backlogs for firearms applications. The Portfolio Committee had received reports that things were done in a generic manner with regards to firearm applications. There was a backlog with new applications of about 25 000. There was a problem with dedicated staff at police stations. For three years running, there was a special budget for the implementation of the Firearms Control Act. The problem was that for too many years there was a denial that there was a problem. There was an improvement for a short period of time and things changed. Now there was denial again. They did not have DFOs. What was the reason that ten years after the Firearms Control Act came into operation, they had not complied? There was the same problem with regards to second hand goods. Second hand shops were where criminals got rid of their stolen items. How many second hand shops were registered with SAPS? How many had been inspected and how many inspections took place in the provinces?

The Chairperson was not surprised that escapes had increased. The Committee visited police stations and their reports were made public. Controls as to cell facilities were not taking place. Cell inspections were not being made. SAPS was not doing much about the attitude of its members towards domestic violence. The DVA stated that every six months there must be a domestic violence report tabled before Parliament and Parliament had not received this in a long time. SAPS figures on domestic violence did not tally with that of the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD). The problem was that SAPS saw this as an administrative burden and not as a means of intelligence gathering. A person who was violent domestically would also be violent in public. What were they doing to correct this? If SAPS closed down 92 929 identified unlicensed/ illegal liquor premises, it meant it confiscated liquor at those places. How was it that the amount of confiscated liquor decreased if they increased the number of liquor outlets they closed? In Limpopo they found thousands of litres of liquor at a police station that was not registered. At the same station, 87 firearms could not be accounted for. The station was responsible for the highest number of house robberies. One wondered where the 87 firearms went to and what they were used for? The Firearms Control Act provided for the title of DFO but SAPS changed the title to Designated Police Officer (DPO). The Committee had warned them at the time that the change would lead to the DFOs performing other functions. If DFOs were used well, it would lead to intelligence gathering. What gave them the right to deviate from the Act? What were they doing about the audit findings on the general non-reliability of their information, including information from 10111 Centres? If there were problems that were making SAPS not able to comply with the Domestic Violence Act, the Portfolio Committee should be made aware of it. The Committee needed a commitment that in the next financial year, sector policing would be fully implemented at all stations.

Lt General Masemola stated that of the recovered 358 state-owned firearms that were recovered, 287 belonged to SAPS. ‘Unfounded’ meant where a complaint, after investigation, was found to be a fabrication or a lie or when a complainant changed his/her story. SAPS had rearrested 379 of the 810 escapees. SAPS appreciated reservists. A policy on reservists was presently with the Minister of Police for signing. SAPS appreciated the fact that reservists were volunteers and it should remain so. If they chose to join any of SAPS operational platforms, they were free to join. SAPS was currently organising the police guards and reservists were free to apply to join and be trained. The reduction in the number of reservists was because some of them opted to join the occupational platform of SAPS and some for personal reasons decided not to be there anymore. Whenever there was an incident of public disorder in any area, police units were sent to the area for crowd management and they brought order in the area. That was what was meant by stabilisation of incidents in the presentation. Rural safety was a strategy that had to do with sector policing. Sector policing was not being implemented in some places because of the shortage of personnel and vehicles. There were challenges with implementation of the Domestic Violence Act but SAPS was doing everything to ensure implementation. The 186 cases of non-compliance with the Domestic Violence Act in the Western Cape spoke to the fact that management in the provinces was handling this. SAPS had issued an NI which instructed PCs on what was expected of them in terms of the Domestic Violence Act. He and his team would look seriously into the issue and investigate this in the provinces and ensure that they comply with the Domestic Violence Act.

SAPS had one aircraft that had mechanical problems and had to order spare parts from abroad. The spare parts took some time to arrive. Once the repairs were completed, SAPS would spray dagga again. The other aircraft crashed. The person that died on the peacekeeping mission was a member of the defence force and not SAPS. Of the 175 that were found guilty, 21 officials were dismissed. It should be noted that dismissal was not the only sanction in disciplinary cases. There were other sanctions such as verbal and written warnings and fines. Of the number of officials arrested at ports of entry, eight were dismissed for corruption, one for culpable homicide and there were still two unfinalised departmental trials. People that were arrested for violation of the Immigration Act were people who entered the country illegally. They were sent to the Department of Home Affairs for processing and deportation. Some were refugees and were thus sent to refugee centres to apply for asylum. If the illegal immigrants committed an offence and were sentenced, they had to serve their sentence. Some vehicles were recovered during cross border operations with neighbouring countries. However, the 419 vehicles recovered at ports of entry were vehicles that had not crossed through the ports of entry to other countries. The MCS at border controls was functional but there was a problem of connectivity of information from SAPS to the border controls. SAPS did station visits to ensure service delivery. Detailed inspections were carried out. Inspections were usually done when most of the personnel were available. He would get the details on the issue of SAPS interference with civil bodies.

Lt General Lesetja Mothiba stated that the backlog, with regards to firearm applications, as announced by the Minister in 2010, had been eradicated. In terms of not reaching targets on the issue, SAPS made the commitment to finalise new applications within 90 days. The backlog figure announced was actually less than the number given. As SAPS was stilling waiting for a Firearm Control System, the applications that were cancelled or wrongly captured were still in the SAPS system. SAPS did recapture applications that were wrongly captured. In 2012 when the SAPS Secretariat made a report to the Minister there were applications dating back to 2004. SAPS dealt with this and made a commitment to clear new applications within 90 days. The DFOs were still there in police stations. The DPOs were there to deal with liquor and stolen goods. They were two separate posts. As far as the National Secretariat saw it, they had DFOs and DPOs, but for one reason or the other, station commanders might decide to merge them. DFOs at police stations were also allocated other functions and when the public needed them they were doing other things. There was no permanent DFO structure. The human resources division was helping with training. The problem would be handled when a permanent structure was implemented.

On second hand goods, Lt General Mothiba said SAPS started the implementation of the Act in May 2011. Before the implementation of the Act, SAPS was implementing the previous Act. A federal committee had been formed and there were also provincial teams. The NI was being developed. There were operations taking place from police stations on a weekly and monthly basis, targeting second hand goods. He said that he did not have information on the quality checks on 10111 call centres. He would furnish the Committee with the information in writing. The SPFs must be thanked for the good job they were doing. The majority of them were functional but there were still challenges. SAPS evaluated the Stock Theft project and found that it was a good project that would be rolled out to other provinces. The Stock Theft Unit had also been capacitated. The project had been extended to capacitating rural police stations. The Stock Theft project was formed because of complaints sent to the former National Police Commissioner, Bheki Cele. A task force was formed and it found that SAPS was being reactive to the issue. The task force recommended that a visible police structure work with members of the Stock Theft Unit in order to be proactive. One of the challenges was the number of vehicles that had been allocated. Some of the rural areas were geographically scattered and it took SAPS members time to react to calls. About 43% of SAPS stations were linked to 10111 Centres. The rest were operating on their own. This meant that a caller would call the stations directly and the disadvantage was that the calls were not recorded. The advantage of 10111 Centres was that calls were recorded and reactive action by SAPS was recorded. The main challenge with sector policing was that stations were demarcated into sectors and resources were allocated. It could not be sustained with the loss of personnel and vehicles. The fact that they were not replacing members at the rate they were losing them or getting our vehicles replaced immediately, had affected sector policing. SAPS wanted to designate the post of Sector Manager and have someone appointed to it. There should be sector forums that should report to SPFs. Sector commissioners were handling the issue of the problem with SPFs.

Brigadier Miriam Mangwani gave the breakdown of applications for firearms: new applications were 6 785 in the provinces and 8 419 at the Enhanced Firearms Register System (EFRS). Competency applications were 9 818 in the provinces and 11 511 at the EFRS. Renewal applications were 19 412 in the provinces. Renewals were done in provinces. The renewal statistics related only to licences that were issued under Section 30 of the Act, which were renewed after five years. This was because Section 50 and 60 licences were renewed after ten years. On the issue of firearms, SAPS had engaged with all accredited associations to ensure that people forward their complaints to SAPS through them so that SAPS would know from where the complaints were coming. SAPS was currently engaging with dealers as in the view of dealers some of the firearms were being duplicated. He had personally met with the Chairperson of South African Dealers’ Association and they were more than willing to come to the party. In relation to second hand goods, 12 associations had been accredited and registered with SAPS. Second hand dealers register with SAPS as associations and not as individuals.

Major General Mondli Zuma stated that the abalone cases were pending. Most of the abalone were found in cargoes or in containers in which case it was difficult to identify the persons behind it. The detectives always investigated. Once they detained the consignment, the owners would disappear. There was wide scale co-ordination between SAPS and other departments on the issue.

The National Commissioner stated that she had approved a new structure for stations. SAPS would ensure that the posts of DFO and DPO were separate. SAPS would get the Inspectorate to look into the matter to ensure compliance with the Act. There were a number of legislative issues with regards to some of the matters raised by the Portfolio Committee, which SAPS would need to report on. Two weeks ago she had met with the suppliers of the park homes and all the defects had been fixed. They were taking delivery of all of them. The report presented by SAPS dealt with its efforts in complying with the various Acts. What they were putting forward was the work they had done and they were open to advice. The ‘attitude’ that was being talked about, she did not believe that any of SAPS members had that attitude. She had found hardworking men and women on the ground who had given her reports about their challenges. They were open to criticism but it should be criticism that would help us do our work. Issues of women and child abuse were what society was grappling with. However, having heard this problem, “we will have to look at our awareness programme and find how to bring the message to our members”. They would look at the programmes they had started on Employment Health and Wellness (EHW) to ensure that members get additional awareness to deal with the attitudinal behaviour. SAPS had noted the issues raised by the Portfolio Committee and would address the issues. SAPS was in the process of addressing the audit findings raised by the Auditor-General. She had secured an appointment with the by the Auditor-General on the issue of 10111 centres because she thought that the interpretation by the Auditor-General and by SAPS on certain aspects needed to be clarified. SAPS gave its commitment that it would continue to improve in the area of sector policing.

Programme 4: Crime Intelligence
The presentation was made by Major General Othlia Moutlane, Acting Divisional Commissioner : Crime Intelligence and Protection Services, and Major General Stefan Schutte, Divisional Commissioner: Finance and Administration, SAPS.

Major General Schutte said the strategic objective of Crime Intelligence (CI) was to contribute to the neutralising of crime by gathering, collating and analysing intelligence that leads to an actionable policing activity. The Programme comprised of two sub-programmes: crime intelligence operations and intelligence and information management. The sum of R865 million was spent on crime intelligence operations while R1.34 billion was spent on intelligence and information management In 2011/12. Thus, the total expenditure on the Programme was R2.2 billion.

Major General Moutlane explained that the purpose of the Programme was to manage crime intelligence and analyse crime information, provide technical support for investigations and crime prevention operations. The spending performance on the Programme increased from R1.9 billion to R2.2 billion (13.2%) of which most was spent on compensation. The number of personnel increased from 8 723 in 2010/11 to 9 053 as at 31 March 2012. This was a highly personnel intensive Programme with 87% spent on compensation. With regards to expenditure on equipment and operational expenses, R25.8 million was spent on vehicles, R67.2 million on fuel, R37.7 million on maintenance and repair of vehicles and R29.1 million on telecommunications.

Crime intelligence operations
This contributed to the neutralizing of crime by gathering, collating and analysing intelligence that led to an actionable policing activity. The priorities of the sub-programme were serious crime, including contact crimes and trio crimes (house robbery, business robbery and hijackings) and security intelligence-related crime (counter terrorism, border security-related matters, public stability, Very Important Persons (VIP) security, taxi violence, inter-group violence, major events and counter intelligence investigations). The number umber of network operations resulting from intelligence files was 26 805. A total of 49 019 network operations were conducted in 2011/12. The target was achieved.

Intelligence and Information Management
In relation to the number of crime intelligence products, there was a target of 253 782 reports with regards to operational analysis reports (profiles, intelligence analysis reports, communication analysis reports, communication interception analysis reports and station and cluster crime threat analysis reports). Overall, there were 353 628 operational analysis reports, 110 033 profiles, 137 228 intelligence analysis reports, 15 388 communication analysis reports, 8 299 communication interception analysis reports and 82 680 station and cluster crime threat analysis reports. The target was achieved. In relation to strategic analysis reports (including statistical reports and research reports), the target was 253 782 reports. Overall, there were 281 904 strategic analysis reports, 281 886 statistical reports (reports explaining the category of crimes and explain why it increased or decreased) and 18 research reports. The target was achieved. With regards to crime intelligence operations and information management, 49 019 network operations were conducted in 2011/12 with 17 366 arrests as well as recovery of goods.

In relation to the utilisation of crime intelligence members at station level, since March 2012 the station CI members fall under the command and control of the station commanders. Further, they do not exist as a clearly identifiable separate CI which is centralised. CI now starts at cluster level since 01 October 2012. With regards capacitating CI, the total granted posts was 10 777, there was 8 637 total filled posts, 2 140 total vacant posts. Priority was given to 88 vetting posts. 560 Level 12 and downwards posts would be filled in 2012/13. 13 Brigadiers posts would be filled in 2012/13.

Programme 5: Protection and Security Services
Major General Schutte stated that its strategic objective was to minimise security violations by protecting foreign and local prominent people and securing strategic interests. The Programme comprised of the following three sub-programmes: VIP protection services, static and mobile security and government security regulator. The sum of R619 million was spent on VIP protection services, R665 million was spent on static and mobile security, R75 million was spent on government security regulator and R174 million was spent on support services. The total expenditure was R1.53 billion. The spending performance increased from R1.4 billion to R1.5 billion (8.6%). The number of personnel decreased from 16 722 in 2010 to 6 340 as at 31 March 2012. Personnel from the Programme moved to ports of entry and railways under Programme 2.

VIP protection sub-programme
Major General Moutlane stated that the priority was to minimise security violations relevant to the protection of the President, the Deputy President, former Presidents and their spouses and other identified VIPs while in transit. In relation to the percentage of security provided in relation to security breaches, the target was to provide 100% protection without security breaches. Overall, 99.99% protection was provided (144 584 movements with one security breach). The target was not achieved due to non-compliance to standard operational procedures. The total number of VIP persons that were protected during 2011/12 was 357. 144 584 in-transit protections (movements) were conducted within and outside South Africa for South African VIPs with one deemed security breach (0.0007%). The security breach was that in the Northern Cape, the community threw stones at the vehicle of an MEC and the Mayor due to dissatisfaction with the appointment of the Mayor. 298 VIP protection operations were conducted without any security breaches.

Static and Mobile Security sub-programme
The priority was to minimise security violations of strategic sites, venues and residences of all identified VIPs. The target was to provide100% protection without security breaches. 99.99% protection was provided (95 344 protection operations with three security breaches). The target was not achieved due to non-maintenance of equipment by the relevant department. This was also due to static protectors that did not fully comply with set operational procedures. 95 344 static protection operations were conducted to protect 28 installations/government buildings and 109 VIP residences with three security breaches in the Western Cape (0.003%). Investigations were conducted in each of the security breaches and corrective measures instituted where applicable in terms of SAPS Disciplinary Regulations against relevant members. The three incidents were two theft incidents in VIP residences in Cape Town and one unauthorised entry to the parliamentary complex. The measures implemented to decrease security breaches in the static environment were daily briefing of members during parades; increased visiting of static protectors by Commanders during shifts, presentation of the Basic VIP Protection course and National Key Points training to static protectors (593), conducting of formal service evaluations (14) and unannounced visits (64) by Head Office delegations to evaluate service standards.

Government Security Regulator sub-programme
The priority was to regulate physical security in the government sector and strategic installations. The target for identified strategic installations audited was 50% (113 from a total of 227). 61% (138 from a total of 227) were audited. The target was achieved. The target for National Key Points evaluated was 98% (171 from a total of 175). 98% (171 from a total of 175) National Key Points was evaluated. The target was achieved. The target for advisory reports compiled in response to requests received was 95%. 99% (146 from a total of 147) advisory reports were compiled. The target was achieved. 25 security providers were registered. 1 555 applications for National Key Point security guards were received and 39 criminal records were detected. Six National Key Point security guards were deregistered. Six training providers were deregistered and two training institutions were suspended. Three Government Sector Security Council (GSSC) meetings were held and 17 Security Officer Liaison Forums were held.

Discussion
Mr D Stubbe (DA) asked, on the 88 vetted posts, how many persons working in the CI environment needed to be vetted and when would they be vetted. For the foreign VIP protection was there a specialised unit or did they use their own VIP protectors to go overseas?

Ms Kohler-Barnard stated that, for the three static breaches, it seemed that they were break-ins in VIP residences. If the VIP was at home, it would had been catastrophic. What were they doing to prevent this? With regards to National Key Points, what determinants did they use, who determined it and how did they go about doing it? Were there any plans to have CI offices in each station?

Ms Sibiya asked why the official, that had a disciplinary case, resigned.

Mr George stated that the number of vacant positions was too high and asked for an explanation. In relation to the 88 vetted posts, was that the reason why, for example in the ICD, people would work for a long time without being vetted? If there were 88 vetted posts in the environment, it would affect other departments. There were movements of many persons including foreign nationals in the parliamentary complex. He asked whether SAPS was satisfied with the structure it had in place for this. There was what was called CI driven investigation. There were times when the police acted and he wondered what intelligence they acted upon. There were situations in South Africa where it seemed they were taken by surprise and there was no prior intelligence. Were they satisfied that they were doing things well?

Mr G Lekgetho (ANC) stated that R37.7 million was used on the maintenance and repairs of vehicles. Were they experiencing delays in the repair of vehicles? On taxi violence, it should be noted that black communities were using taxis daily and there was usually taxi violence. Most of the violence related to controversies as to routes. He asked if SAPS had gone through the document on the formation of taxi associations.

Ms Molebatsi asked how SAPS planned to reduce the 16% vacancy rate in CI. Was the virement made in the fourth quarter approved? She asked for details on the R4 million in revenue from the sale of capital assets in Programme 5. On what projects were foreign funds spent?

The Chairperson stated that the sum of R37.7 million for maintenance and repair of vehicles was exceptionally high. She asked for details on the number of vehicles involved. Had measures been put in place in the CI environment to stop the abuse of official vehicles? There had been reports of non-CI members and even family members of CI members using official vehicles. She asked if the vetting of CI officers was being done internally or externally. The Minister in his budget speech stated that CI should be the centre pillar of policing, how far had they gone on that? She asked how station managers could be made to understand that a CI officer was more than a person that compiles statistics to be sent to the provinces and to the national secretariat. The Committee needed an understanding about the pressure the vetting of other departments was putting on SAPS. She asked for the reason that Support Services decreased more than in the previous financial year. What was the figure for funded posts for 2011/12? There were still complaints about a number of VIP units and members. Many of them were involved in things they should not be involved in. What was SAPS doing about this issue?

The National Commissioner stated that the issue of vetting was by and large inwardly focused. It was not for other departments but for some senior management. Most of it was to look at the organisation and to deal with its issues.

Major General Schutte stated that Support Services decreased because of support for railway and ports. On the virement, the compensation was approved by National Treasury. The funded posts for 2011/12 were 9 053. The Committee would be furnished with details on the number of vehicles covered by the reported maintenance and repair cost.

Major General Chris De Kock, Head: Crime Research and Statistics, stated that the main abuse of vehicles actually happened with open account vehicles. There was no general abuse of official vehicles. There were instances in the past of use and abuse of CI members at stations. The station structure sometimes took crime intelligence officers (CIOs) out of crime intelligence. What they were doing was to guide stations through instructions which in detail state the work of CIOs. They had a problem with ground coverage. There were not enough collectors. The only way they could control this was to constantly show the commissioners and station commanders how to use those CIOs.

Major General Moutlane stated that the CI had put a strategy in place for vetting. Of the 327 applications received from the CI environment, 296 were finalised and 66 certificates were issued. The strategy was twofold: it related to personnel within the CI environment and the senior management. Of 56 senior management applications, 11 certificates were issued. They really needed manpower that was why they wanted to fill the 88 vetted posts. They had made a milestone, from there they would make submissions to head office and then begin the process of filling up the posts. The posts should be filled by January 2013.

Lt General Masemola stated that there were specialised units for foreign VIPs. It was VIPs that come to South Africa that were protected. Our VIPs that go abroad, go with protectors that protect them. The issue of break-ins at VIP residences was a concern. Part of the problem was that some of the protectors might not have been screened well. In one of the cases, it was a protector that caused the theft. The theft case was still ongoing for the person that resigned. He resigned before the process was instituted against him. National Key Points was any strategic installation, which if affected, would have dire consequences for the country. That was the determinant. National Key Points did get announced by the Minister. Any organisation that wanted its installation to be declared a National Key Point would apply to SAPS and the installation would be inspected. If it met the criteria, it would then be declared a National Key Point. All foreign visitors who visit the parliamentary complex, go through a security check. However, the one instance stated in SAPS report was were a tourist got into the complex without going through the right channels. SAPS would address this concern of members. Police could take action based on information even before they were verified. There was also warning information that was sent to commissioners and cluster commanders. Operational units were supposed to respond to them. Sometimes they did not. Most of the causes of taxi violence was the issue of routes. There had been too many complaints from the public about the behaviour of VIP members. There was a programme on training them to have regard for members of the public.

Major General Sam Shitlabane, Acting Head: Protection and Security Services, commented that on static protection, CI interacted quarterly with all the VIPs it provided protection to check on the level of the service that was being provided. There were checks on issues that need to be addressed, whether departmentally or by opening criminal cases. There were checks on whether there was compliance with procedures.

The meeting was adjourned.