NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION 15

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 AUGUST 2024

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4-2024)

ê15.  Inkosi M Nonkonyana (Eastern Cape: ANC) to ask the Minister of Police:

(1)   With reference to the high number of murders of traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, how many such killings were (a) investigated and/or (b) successfully prosecuted in the 2023/24 financial year;

(2)  whether any plans are in place to prevent such murders; if not, why not; if so, what plans;

(3)  what is the latest update regarding the Traditional Policing Concept that was launched in 2018 at the Nqadu Great Place in the Eastern Cape?                                                    CO94E

REPLY:

(1)(a)  A total of 79 cases of murders of Traditional Leaders were investigated in the 2023/24 financial year. One case was investigated in the Eastern Cape, 76 cases in KwaZulu-Natal, and two in Mpumalanga.

    (b) 10 cases were successfully prosecuted in KwaZulu-Natal, whilst the cases in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga are still under investigation.

2. District commanders regularly meet with local Izinduna to report any threats and imbizos are arranged with communities to communicate current trends and threats, and to educate communities on crime prevention measures that should be employed.

The utilisation of mobile client service centres, contact points at identified tribal offices and the conducting of awareness campaigns in rural communities, are implemented to increase police visibility in rural areas and ensure engagement between the SAPS and these communities.

3. The Traditional Policing Concept was launched in the Eastern Cape Province, in December 2018, followed by three other identified Provinces being; KwaZulu-Natal in December 2020, Mpumalanga in March 2022 and Limpopo in December 2022. Engagements between the SAPS, rural communities and traditional leaders, about safety in and the policing of rural areas, regularly take place at provincial and local levels, within the context of the Traditional Policing Concept.

The four identified provinces were allocated resources such as mobile client service centres, motor vehicles and caravans, specifically to increase their ability to reach out to rural areas that are located far from police stations. Some tribal offices were identified and are utilised as contact points between the police and communities.

Joint operations and awareness campaigns with stakeholders are taking place, focusing on crimes affecting rural areas, i.e. stock theft, branding of livestock and matters related to youth, children and women, including gender-based violence. 

Issued by Parliament, 4 September 2024