Chairperson, my Minister and Deputy Minister, the National Police Commissioner, and hon members, the resolutions of the ANC at the Mangaung conference reiterated that South Africa must have a single Police Service. The resolutions also recognised the fact that the conditions of service in the SA Police Service, SAPS, are not satisfactory and that the lower levels need attention. It goes further to state that the National Police Commissioner should ensure the implementation of general training, operational and disciplinary standards in relation to policing to foster synergy, uniformity and consistency throughout the Republic.
The conference also noted that the transformation of the security departments has, in the main, been hampered by middle management that continues to resist change and targets progressive personnel for dismissal. In addition, therefore, the tools of transformation and employment equity should be directed at transforming the middle management of security services.
The National Development Plan, NDP - one of the documents from which the department derives its mandate - states that we will fall asleep without fear, and listen to the rain on the roof. We will ensure that all people live safely, with an independent and fair criminal justice system. With regard to building safer communities, Chapter 12 of the NDP states as its objectives:
In 2030, people living in South Africa feel safe at home, at school and at work, and they enjoy an active community life free of fear. Women walk freely in the streets and children play safely outside. The Police Service is well-resourced and professional, staffed by highly skilled officers who value their work, serve the community, safeguard lives and property without discrimination, protect the peaceful against violence, and respect the rights to equality and justice.
One of the actions for attaining this objective is the demilitarisation of the police force and the training of all police personnel in professional police ethics and practice.
Having said all of the aforegoing, as identified by my organisation, which by the way is the ruling party in this country, which represents the majority of our people in this country ... [Interjections.] ... the opposition needs to be reminded that, as they are also South African citizens, we also serve their interests, whether they like it or not.
HON MEMBERS: Yes! Yes!