Speaker and hon member, the change in police ranks is an operational matter and has no constitutional implications. Section 199(1) of the Constitution talks of a Police Service, and this will continue to be so.
As government, we have resolved to combat serious and violent crime by being tougher on criminals and organised crime syndicates. The ranks were changed to send a message to criminals that government was getting tough on crime. This approach has borne results, as evidenced by the reduction in the levels of serious crimes. However, we have consistently stressed that the police must operate within the confines of the Constitution.
The issue of ranks on its own cannot constitute militarisation. One can call the management of police by any other name. What is important, however, is the orientation of the police. This change of police ranks should also not be viewed in isolation of the other pillars of our strategy. These include the strengthening of partnerships with communities, utilisation of intelligence as a nerve centre of policing and the review of the entire criminal justice system to make it more effective. We have improved oversight mechanisms. For example, two pieces of legislation were passed in 2010, namely the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service Act and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act. These are aimed at ensuring that the Police Service remains accountable to the people and that the police uphold the Constitution and adhere to the principles of a democratic dispensation.
If the hon member is referring to any activities of the tactical response team, TRT, we urge the hon member to make use of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. The Directorate investigates alleged cases of police abuse independently from the police and without fear or favour. All members of the SAPS, which includes the TRT, have to abide by the code of conduct of the SAPS and are all subjected to the disciplinary code and procedures of the organisation.
Any wrongdoing by a TRT member will be investigated. I must also add that complaints against the TRT must also be judged overall against successes they have scored in various parts of the country in dealing with cases of armed robbery, drug busts, rhino poaching, cash in transit heists and other similar serious violent crimes. I thank you, Speaker. [Applause.]