Hon Chairperson, members of the executive, Members of Parliament, in April this year we went to the electorate to renew our mandate and to determine democratically what the will of the people is on who should govern our country and its people.
Every single party represented in this House, through their manifestos, made a commitment to fight crime. Today poses a challenge to all of us on how we deal with the reality of the situation. We are reflecting on what results our efforts have brought us, but also need to look at what more we can do to ensure that our country becomes the one we all aspire to, and our nation becomes the proud and dignified nation it is supposed to be.
I would like to thank the Minister for his frank and open approach in dealing with the release of the crime statistics. It is encouraging to see that the Minister understands and acknowledges the challenges that he and his department are facing, but also that they have already started to address these challenges decisively.
The fact that the Minister briefed the committee and that we did not read about the release in the media clearly illustrates Parliament's role as partner in the fight against crime. [Applause.]
Once more, let me extend our appreciation, as a portfolio committee, to the Minister for the manner in which he dealt with these results by taking the portfolio committee into his confidence before releasing them. All parties, the ANC, IFP, ACDP, Cope and FF Plus, expressed this view and an understanding of the need for a closed meeting. [Applause.]
As the ANC, we agree that crime is a challenge for all of us. We also agree that it affects all of us across racial lines. We are of the strong view that a partnership in crime fighting is the answer. We believe that we have the means to fight crime. Themba Khumalo, the editor-in-chief of Daily Sun, on 7 September 2009 said:
The time is already here when together we should be fighting back. It is the great battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. It is time to pick a side, become a soldier and go to war again.
I think this view expressed by Themba Khumalo is correct, and I think we need more of these messages and actions from many of us to drive the point home.
The crime statistics released by the Minister of Police today confirm again that crime in South Africa is violent. Robberies, hi-jackings and sexual offences confirm the violent nature of crime. They further reflect the type of society we are or have become. Crime talks to the moral fibre of our community. It has become easy for even people who regard themselves as law- abiding to turn to violence. We have seen violence in our universities during student protests and in communities protesting about service delivery. This proves that more and more we are becoming a violent nation.
The everyday assaults of farm dwellers by some farmers and sometimes the killing of farmers is proof of how we have opted to use violence in our everyday life. The time has come, we have to stop this violence, first amongst ourselves as forces of good so that we can easily identify the forces of evil.
The released crime statistics is the systematic measure of various factors. It reflects the levels and types of crimes that have occurred in a specific period, in this case, between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009. In addition, these crime statistics will serve as an indicator of crime that is likely to occur and, as such, the measures to implement.
The increase in business robberies is indeed worrying. It is true that two thirds of business robberies affected small businesses and, in our townships, RDP houses, etc. The large amounts of cash that are kept at these business premises could be an issue. I think, together with our banks and our businesses, we urgently need to find a solution to this problem.
We have been informed that robberies affecting big businesses remain stable, which we appreciate, but we think more can still be done to reduce that further.
The increase in house robberies might be an indication of many issues, including the seriousness in the investigation of these crimes if there was no murder or rape committed. Criminals study how we react to their evil deeds. We believe that strengthening police patrols, community police forums, street committees and rural safety committees, as well as arrests and convictions of perpetrators might reduce this crime.
The gradual decline in murder and attempted murder is welcomed. The fact that in 54% of cases a knife is the object that is used to commit murder or attempted murder indicates that the victim will be killed in close proximity to, or possibly by a known person. This is indeed worrying.
Over the past 15 years this government and this Parliament voted a huge slice of the available budget to the SAPS. Human and capital resources have increased significantly. Our success in the fight against crime did not always match our investment. We would closely monitor the output of the SAPS so as to ensure that the people receive the service that they require and deserve. We need to reap the benefits from our investment.
Looking at the areas of success as highlighted here today, it is clear to the ANC that underlying those successes are strong partnerships and very good intelligence. It therefore becomes imperative that the department should strengthen its intelligence capacity at all levels of the service.
Every single police officer must know that the work they do should be informed by intelligence and that while they are conducting their daily tasks, information should be treated as probable intelligence in another case.
The SAPS cannot afford to work in silos. The work of one division will and should inform the work of another, and police officers should be aware of all aspects of policing.
We welcome the strengthening of the detective services through the recruitment and training of detectives. We are also, however, aware that many of the skills that a detective needs, he or she should develop over the years while doing the job.
With regard to training, we should also urge the Minister to seriously review and evaluate current approaches to training, and training of SAPS officers. Too many reports are received on poor service from the police and botched investigations that lead to mistrust.
It is clear that partnerships form a great part in determining the successes that are achieved in bringing the crime figures down. The significant drop in ATM robberies is an example. It is to this extent that we, as Members of Parliament, representing our various constituencies, have an important and leading role to play.
We should encourage the establishment of strong, active community police forums, or CPFs and street committees. We should explain the advantage that comes with the involvement of a community in determining its safety needs and plans. Our role should not just be to criticise - that comes easily - our role should be to mobilise and act.
As much as crime affects all of us, rich or poor, educated or not, criminals are part of our communities. They are someone's brother, sister, father or friend. They live amongst us. If we judge the SAPS on the crime statistics let us remember that society, which we are part of, is judged by the nature of our crime.
In conclusion, I want to say that it is easy for a member, by being too negative, to become a burden to even the party she or he belongs to. I think hon Kohler-Barnard might be getting there. I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.