MINISTER MTHETHWA URGES RESEARCHERS TO BE OBJECTIVE: Rooting out corrupt tsotsi-cops from SAPS forms part of fighting crime, smartly and toughly

CAPE TOWN - 14 February 2011.  The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa today reiterated a call he made last year to all research institutions, academics, analysts and scholars; that they have a critical role in the fight and reduction of crime in South Africa.  However in their contribution to the cause, they need to ensure that they contribute objectively.

This is in lieu of the recently-published research paper by the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR), titled "Broken Blue Line: The involvement of the South African Police Force in serious and violent crime in South Africa - A research paper by the Unit for Risk Analysis, February 2011."

Amongst their findings, SAIRR state that allegations of policemen and women involved in perpetrating serious and violent crimes are not simply isolated incidents; that they fit into a general pattern of allegations that is common across the country.  They further state that the problem of criminality involving the police does not simply relate to corruption. It would appear that police officers are often alleged to be active participants in serious and violent crimes as audacious as ATM bombings and house robberies.

However the ministry believes that crime and corruption are societal challenges which cut across all sectors.  A few days ago, our elite unit the Hawks arrested bogus doctors, from last year we have been arresting and closing down bogus colleges and indeed even arresting bogus cops. "There has been a concerted drive from this police leadership to fight crime smartly and toughly, which by the way includes rooting those tsotsi-cops who may be amongst us.  And we have been forthright about this.  Whether the SAIRR chooses to deliberately or subjectively ignore this fact, our mission will continue unhindered," stated the Minister.

"While we welcome contributions from all researchers, we believe it serves no intention when they go on misleading campaigns in order to articulate their findings.  Perhaps an even better approach would have been to come to us, present their findings and together we work towards finding sustainable solutions in fighting crime.  For the record, some of the SAPS members, who were found guilty by courts of law, were additionally either dismissed and or additional internal disciplinary measures imposed on them by the department," stated Minister Mthethwa.

The 100 incidents of police involvement alluded in the findings included ATM bombings, armed robberies, house robberies, rapes, murders, serious assaults and using state vehicles recklessly while on duty.  But what is important is that none of these cases were ignored by SAPS management because as we speak either those who were involved were arrested, investigated or the processes are still ongoing by the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD).  In the legislation determining the mandate of the ICD going forward, the focus is squarely on empowering this unit to be more effective in their investigations.  The fact that the ICD now reports directly to the Minister as opposed to the SAPS, that on its own affirms the seriousness with which we view any alleged police abuses.

On the issue of low convictions raised by SAIRR, the Minister is on record on several times emphasizing a need for police to score harsher convictions for criminals.  "We are straight-forward in terms of convictions, arresting criminals is something our members have done well in the past but now our success must be judged on the number of convictions.  We shall move towards harsher convictions and these can only be achieved through detective and investigative work.  To this end, the sugar cane serial case in this case serves as best model or motivation," added Minister Mthethwa.

As a matter of fact, when Minister Mthethwa was invited to address a conference hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in September last year at Muldersdrift, he urged researchers to assist government with qualitative research not publicity-seeking rhetoric.  Any credible research must tell or recommend new innovation, new ways of doing things but once it states the obvious, it creates mistrust.  "We are not denialists in the fight against crime nor are we turning a blind eye to suggestions but such must be constructive criticism. We believe there is a war - which by the way has been declared by criminals on law-abiding citizens and that it is only through partnerships with media, civil society, business, youth formations and even credible researchers, that we can win this war."

In conclusion, the police leadership and management are now paying microscopic attention to the human resource development of police - from recruitment to retirement.  A plan involving psychological support, physical aspects relating to fitness, upward mobility and remuneration is currently being implemented and will go a long way in ensuring that we not only attract the best minds into the Force, but retain the best of the best.

Statement issued by Zweli Mnisi, Spokesperson to the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, February 14 2011

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter