TO improve the quality of general and specialised police investigations, government will be establishing a Crime Detection University in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria.
This was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday evening, when he took to the podium in Parliament to deliver the State of the Nation Address.
He said his plans for investment and growth in South Africa would require a safe, stable and crime-free environment.
“It is fundamental to the aspirations of all our people to live in security, peace and comfort,” the President said.
He further said that police visibility, effective training and better resourcing of police stations are part of South Africa’s priorities.
“I prioritised our response to the growing problem of criminal groups that extort money from construction and other businesses,” the President said.
Specialised units – bringing together the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority – are mandated to combat these crimes of economic disruption.
It was also stated that Anti-Gang units will be further strengthened, with priority given to the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Free State.
“Following the graduation of 5 000 police trainees last year, 7 000 new police trainees have been enlisted this year to strengthen local policing,” the President announced.
Furthermore, President Ramaphosa said that in order to support growth of the tourism industry, the SAPS will increase visibility at identified tourist attraction sites.
“It is training Tourism Safety Monitors and will establish a reserve police capacity to focus on the policing of tourist attraction areas,” he said.
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