Minister’s turnabout on specialised units
No intention to reintroduce units.
Ever since specialised crime fighting units have been disbanded people wanted to know why as it seemed crimes, such as those relating to drugs and child abuse, have increased.
In a positive development, the Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko earlier this year announced that the SAPS would be considering re-establishing specialised units. But earlier today, in a reply to Parliament, it however appeared the Minister has made a U-turn and the SAPS has no intention of re-establishing these units in the coming year.The DA will now be requesting a report from the Minister on whether he will establish specialised units and timelines in this regard.
On 15 May this year, Nhleko, in his 2015/16 Budget Vote Speech said, “In the coming financial year, we will also be placing a stronger emphasis on the need to review specialised units that are dedicated to fighting specific forms of crime and specialised investigations. We have heard the outcry of communities ravaged by drugs.” He furthermore said that, “taking into account that the commission of crime has become more specialized, advanced and sophisticated. Therefore our response should be a level higher than the criminals.” This move was widely welcomed by policing experts.
However, today in response to a Parliamentary question, the Minister said, “There is no intention in the Annual Performance Plan 2015/2016 to reintroduce any additional specialised units.”
“The decision by then Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi to disband specialised units for drugs substantially weakened the police’s ability to fight organised crime. The move was contrary to international best practice and the net result was that the expertise built up by these units were lost because officers became overburdened with investigating a multiplicity of crimes and the specialised focus was lost. Mthethwa in the late 2000’s re-established the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit following a RAPCAN study which showed that crimes against women and children could not be addressed by the new model. These re-established units, whilst under-resourced, are producing results and showing what focused policing can achieve. Having permanent, dedicated and equipped specialised capabilities can only help secure convictions,” said Mireille Wenger DA spokesperson for Community Safety who posed the question to the Nhleko.
The Roodepoort and Florida Police could not be reached for comment.
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