House Chairperson, the lives of all South African citizens depend on the work that policemen and women do. Crime-fighting is a national priority and an essential service. There can be no compromises, cutting of corners or excuses raised. Because the work of the police is of the highest precedence, everything has to run smoothly as they must be 100% prepared and equipped to bring criminals to book. But there are still too many reports of serious deficiencies and nonadherence to keeping up the standards. The report of the Auditor-General and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa, has an overload of these. It is unacceptable and utterly disappointing that the very people who are the last barrier between us and chaos are not rendering the expected and demanded quality of service due to all the deficiencies listed in the report.
There are many recommendations to ensure conformity and progress. But the true test will be if the political leadership, starting from the Minister, takes full responsibility in ensuring enforcement and proper control. We have to keep our men and women in uniform optimally trained, equipped, and empowered to do sterling work against the evil people who rob and rape the innocent. When I say this, I first want to commend all the police personnel who are loyal to our country, Constitution and citizens. They protect us and hunt down the perpetrators.
But it is the exposed weaknesses in this report that are in the spotlight today. No member of the police can do a good job if there is no proper policy to ensure that sector policing functions optimally with due resource allocations. Well-kept vehicles are vital. Broken ones cannot wait too long before their service intervals. Weak controls of vehicle registers are still prevalent. Private use or abuse of state vehicles must be stopped. Too many operational members still do not have driving licences, despite programmes to address this.
Although we need a maximum number of crime fighters at the front line, they must not stay away from training and capacity-building. The front desk to the community may not go without water, electric power, working telephones and computers.
Family violence is still not taken seriously enough. All police members should be trained to deal with domestic violence appropriately within the guidelines and the law.
Our operational members also need proper protection. Why they are not issued with bulletproof vests that are also welldesigned to fit policewomen, is beyond comprehension.
We support this report of Scopa and we are looking forward to further engagement with the process. I thank you. [Applause.]