36/1/4/1/201100246

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 3232

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 OCTOBER 2011

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 33- 2011)

Date reply submitted: 8 November 2011

3232. Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

Whether he has found that cases had been struck off the court roll in 2011 as a result of inadequate investigations by detectives; if so, (a) how many cases, (b) what measures has he put in place to assist detectives in this regard by providing further training and (c) what amount has been budgeted in this regard?

NW3845E

REPLY:

Yes.

(a)  4093 cases were struck off the court roll during 2011 as a result of inadequate investigations where the investigations were not fully completed e.g. some witness statements not yet obtained, blood alcohol analysis reports still awaited (drunken driving cases), suspects not linked to the crime, etc.

(b)  116 experienced detectives were placed at 104 courts across the country as Detective Court Case Officers and one of their responsibilities is to inspect and screen court dockets to ensure that complete and quality investigations are conducted. Detective training is an ongoing process and 1384 detectives will be trained in the 2011/2012 financial year, 1731 detectives will be trained in the 2012/2013 financial year and 1730 in the 2013/2014 financial year.

(c)  R16,2 million is budgeted for detective training in the 2011/2012 financial year.

Reply to question 3232 approved by the Minister

Issued by Parliament, November 11 2011

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