GCIS MINISTERIAL MEDIA BRIEFING
Minister of Safety and Security
11 September 2001

Documents Handed Out:
Minister’s Media Briefing September 11, 2001 [See Appendix below]

Questions by the media and replies from Minister, Mr Steve Tshwete

(Q) Do you see any virtue of decriminalisation of less harmful drugs?
(A) No, noting the behaviour of our youth in South Africa, it would not be wise to do that. I would say in South it is not yet time. We need first to change the behaviour patterns of our youth. South Africa does not have a system of monitoring the decriminalisation of less harmful drugs.

(Q) Do you have knowledge of under-reported crimes?
(A) It is a common phenomenon not to report certain categories of crimes. The most under-reported category of crime are those of an intimate nature such as incest, date rape, rape, domestic violence and so forth. The crimes that relate to property are highly reported because people in most instances want to claim their insurance from the insurance companies.

(Q) What is your take on the assertion that the murder of farmers has a political dimension?
(A) I am not yet convinced that this is so. There is no concrete evidence that points in that direction. It remains the perception of people. Even the interim report of the committee charged with probing farm murders makes no allusion to this effect. This committee is empowered to investigate all the likely causes of these murders as we are really concerned with this loss of human life. We will do anything within our reach to stop the killing of people in our country.

(Q) Can you give the statistics of HIV results on arrestees?
(A) The focus of these tests was to establish whether there is any link between drugs and crime commission. Eloquently there is link between drug abuse and crime commission. We had research partners, the HIV testing on the arrestees was of interest to the Medical Research Council (MRC). It is the MRC that can give these statistics. Ours was to establish whether there is any link between drugs and crime, so that we can put in place proper strategies to curb this situation. It must be noted that we are the first country - if not, the second - to do an incisive study on this subject.

(Q) Are there any efforts made to track down the second hand shops selling goods which have "always proven themselves to be stolen"?
(A) Police have made a major breakthrough on this one, they have raided these shops and such raids are still continuing. We will also be able to fasttrack this programme if there is co-operation forthcoming from members of the community as they are the ones who have firsthand information about these elements. Going beyond this we are asking political parties and the media to assist in a campaign to destroy stolen goods so as to close the market for stolen goods. They must encourage citizens to report this and not receive stolen goods.

(Q) Is there any co-operation from the cellphone companies to disable stolen cellphones instead of going the route of destroying them?
(A) It is very difficult but we are still engaging them as they plead expense on their part.

(Q) Are you considering a legislative route to enforcing this?
(A) No. We should engage them through negotiations. We should be able to persuade them. To force them legislatively is not an appropriate option. We urge members of the media to assist us in the campaign of persuading cellphone companies to install devices on all cellphone that will enable a stolen cellphone to be disabled.

(Q) Have police received any top-up budget to enable them to enforce the Domestic Violence Act?
(A) Police are very pro-active in this regard. Thousands of police have been trained and are being trained in handling domestic violence crimes. Again the police force cannot solve this one alone. Success lies in co-operation with members of the public.

(Q) What do you say to police who might have been misled by the comments of the Commissioner of Police when he said some of these laws are not implementable?
(A) No, the police have interpreted it the way you got it, I continue talking to police force. I find none of them who interpret it that way. They always indicate to have understood the Commissioner as meaning that the police must make priorities in the fight against crime. If you are making priorities from 1-10 it does not mean that item number 10 will not be carried out. It just means it will be carried out after other item numbers have been done.

Appendix:
Media Briefing by the Minister for Safety and Security, Mr Steve Tshwete, Mp Parliament, Cape Town,
11 September 2001

Earlier this year in my budget speech to Parliament, I outlined the organisational and operational priorities and objectives of the South African Police Service for the current financial year, as well as the progress that had been made. Recently, I also outlined the good progress the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster of departments had made in integrating its efforts in the overall fight against crime.

In today's briefing, I would like to focus on two issues, namely, the overall crime situation in the country and the role and impact of drugs on crime, specifically serious and violent crimes. Studies have indicated that there is a definite link between drug abuse and crime. The Organised Crime Threat Analysis has also identified drugs as the top organised crime threat. The current crime situation in the country is characterised by decreases and/or stabilisations in 17 of the 20 serious crime trends over the period January to July 2001, when compared to previous years. This Table has been attached as Annexure A to your document.

Decreases worth mentioning, when comparing the period January to July 2001 with the corresponding period in 2000, are commercial crime (11.6%), shoplifting (5.4%), murder (4.5%) and housebreaking at business premises (4.5%).

Attempted murder, rape and attempted rape, assault GBH and assault common, housebreaking at residential premises, stock theft, theft of motor vehicle, theft out of and from motor vehicle, arson and malicious damage to property all either stabilised or had slight decreases.

Another sign of success is the fact that the high profile ("newsworthy") sub-tendencies of aggravated robbery, namely carjacking, hijacking of trucks, robbery of cash in transit and bank robberies together actually decreased by 8.9% (with the hijacking of trucks and robbery of cash in transit respectively decreasing by 23.4% and 33.3%). During 1997 these four high profile sub-tendencies accounted for 27.5% of all aggravated robbery while this year (2001) it contributed to only 16.5% of all robberies with aggravating circumstances.

The fact that robbery aggravated increased, whilst the afore-mentioned sub-tendencies decreased, should already indicate that there has been a shift from high profile more organised to less organised robberies of less valuable items. Despite the decreases, robbery remains a serious crime, wherein innocent people are killed or injured or maimed and traumatised. Aggravated robbery and other robbery are still increasing significantly (by respectively 7.7% and 6.6%). As already indicated there has been a shift in the type of robbery committed with the high profile robberies depicting a significant decrease.
All indications are that robberies of cellular telephones are mainly responsible for these increases and that the possibility exists of a good share of insurance fraud being behind many of these so-called robberies. An analysis of various crimes registered on the Crime Administration System during the year 2000 was done.

This revealed that respectively 24.3%, 22.6% 17.6% and 10.8% of all other robbery, other theft, aggravated robbery and theft out of and/or from motor vehicles in South Africa during 2000 involved the taking of cellular telephones. It is also very significant that in Gauteng these proportions are even higher for theft - other (30.5%), robbery - other (37.1%) and robbery - aggravated (22.0%). According to specific docket analyses some areas even put the figures as high as 50% as far as robberies are concerned. The SAPS is liasing with cell phone and insurance companies to emphasise the blocking of stolen/robbed cell phones and the insurance thereof. We also have to ask the public to really take better precautions against these crimes.

A developing trend in especially the lower socio-economic areas (e.g. Mamelodi, Alexandra, Khayelitsha, etc.) is for gangs of youths to rob spaza shops, shebeens and residences at gunpoint. This also creates an increase as far as the two categories of robbery are concerned. This is an extremely difficult phenomenon to police, especially in informal settlement areas. During the past few months task teams consisting of detectives, intelligence gatherers and analysts were established at various stations, resulting in the arrest of several of these young violent robbers. It is evident that endeavours of this nature will definitely yield results. These youths must be warned that we are not going to allow them to continue to act violently against the people of South Africa who should now enjoy their freedom. As has been explained in the past, theft other (increasing by 3.7%) is very much an "other"/"rest" category enabling people to register "crimes" which in many cases may have been the result of their own negligence in losing articles like cellular telephones, cameras, jewellery, clothing, etc. but which are then reported as stolen to facilitate insurance claims. This crime trend will in all probability always remain on the increase and needs serious discussion with the insurance industry.

Analysis of crime trends at national, provincial, area and station level clearly indicates that where the National Crime Combating Strategy (NCCS) popularly known as "Crackdown", has been implemented and sustained, it has either had a stabilising or decreasing impact on crime. The NCCS with it's geographic approach which is focussed on the where, when and why of crime, and especially crime prevention and the organised crime approach which is focussed on the who and detection, is paying off.
It should be borne in mind that serious crimes can be broadly divided into three categories of crime, namely:
· Crimes mainly dependent on police action for detection, which are, drug related crime, illegal possession of firearms and driving under the influence. It is generally expected that an increase in actions launched by the police, will result in an increase in the registration of these crimes.
· More policeable crimes include robbery with aggravating circumstances, other robbery, housebreaking at business and residential premises, theft of motor vehicles, theft out of and/or from motor vehicles and stock theft. Conventional policing like roadblocks, cordoning off and search operations and other forms of visible policing should definitely influence these crimes. If these operations do not have an effect on these crimes, then one has to seriously reconsider whether the police are on the right track.
· Less policeable crimes, which are definitely not of a less serious nature, includes crimes like: rape, murder, attempted murder, serious and common assault, other theft and shoplifting. Conventional policing on its own will not really have an effect on this type of crime and thus requires the full co-operation and support of the community, NGO's, Government Departments and all other concerned parties. These very serious crimes or the reporting thereof, which according to analysis are mostly social and domestic in nature ("kroeg en huismoles"/bar and domestic fights) may even increase where the community have more trust in and better relations with the SAPS. This was often the case during the past five years.
When the department launched the NCCS ("Crackdown") in April last year, increases of 10% and more in policeable crimes were experienced in 12 of the 43 policing areas. During the last full quarter of Operation Crackdown (April to June 2001) only 4 out of the 43 policing areas experienced increases of 10% and more.

The NCCS is focussed on 145 stations (that is approximately 13% of all stations in South Africa) in which more than 50% of the serious crime in South Africa is generated. In the first quarter of this operation, 54 of the 145 stations experienced an increase of more than 10% in more policeable crimes. During the last full quarter of Crackdown, namely the period April to June 2001, increases of 10% or more only occurred in 42 of the 145 stations. In 12 stations where very high increases were previously experienced, stabilisations or decreases in crime trends were attained.

One area of great concern that requires focussed and dedicated attention is the problem of drugs. Criminologists and Sociologists internationally agree that the link between drugs and crime is multi-dimensional, as drugs serve as the catalyst in a considerable proportion of violent crimes, have an organised dimension and contribute to the commission of crime in order to sustain this expensive habit.
The Medical Research Council, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Institute for Security Studies and the Human Sciences Research Council, in conjunction with the Crime Information Analysis Centre of the SAPS, have undertaken the first study of its kind in South Africa to test the link between drugs and crime. The multi-site study conducted in police holding cells yields information on police arrest patterns, arrestees' use of illegal drugs and HIV prevalence.

The combined finding of the study, which was conducted in three phases, indicates that an average of 45.6% of the arrestees tested positive for at least one drug. An average of 70% of persons arrested in connection with housebreaking and 68.7% for drug and alcohol related offences were most likely to test positive for drugs. The largest variance was evident with regard to the category of theft of motor vehicles, ranging from 36% to 74% with an average of 56.3% over the phases. The use of drugs by persons arrested in connection with violent offences was also fairly consistent and present ground for serious concern, for instance an average of 45% of the persons arrested for rape, 50% for weapons related offences and 49.7% for murder (all attempts included) tested positive for at least one drug. During the 3rd Phase of the study 47.3% of persons in Durban arrested for violent offences tested positive for any drug compared to 46.8% in Cape Town and 36.7% in Gauteng. In Cape Town 66.2% of the persons who were arrested for property crimes, 51.1% in Durban and 31.7% of persons in Gauteng, tested positive for at least one drug.

The wealth of information produced by the survey can be used to inform crime and drug prevention policy, as well as health policy. The relationships identified clearly warrant serious concern and may well provide one of the keys to addressing the crime problem in South Africa.
The Organised Crime Threat Analysis (OCTA) of the SAPS also indicates that the top identified threat is drug related. One hundred and two drug threats have been identified of the 311 threats that are registered on the OCTA. The drug threat is present in each of the nine provinces.
Unacceptable high levels of drug related crime are illustrated by sensational seizures of illicit drugs in the country. Cannabis remains the primary drug of abuse in South Africa, while Mandrax continues to be the second most widely abused drug.

The trafficking of cocaine in South Africa is a problem synonymous with the West African criminal groups operating in the country. Seizures continue to occur on a regular basis at Johannesburg International Airport with a wide variety of individuals being employed as couriers. Seizures of Heroin are increasingly being reported. The abuse of Amphetamine type stimulants, such as Ecstasy, is on the increase.

During 2000, the SAPS dealt with more than 45 500 drug related cases. A significant increase, compared with the 41 461 cases dealt with in 1999. When looking at the statistics submitted by the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratories in Pretoria and Cape Town for the period January 2000 to August 2000, the following was found:
C 11 500 kg of hashish to the value of R667 000 was seized. It is estimated that 537 430 kg of cannabis was also seized during the said period. C more than 1, 9 million mandrax tablets were seized to the value of R86,5 million. C 192 863 ecstacy and other amphetamine-type stimulants to the value of R16 200 000 was seized. C 1708 units of barbiturates were seized with a value of R63 196. C 4 141 grams of heroin to the value of R1 383 120 was seized. C 465 kg of cocaine to the value of R120 900 000 was seized.

It is quite clear that drugs are having a major impact on crime in South Africa and that a comprehensive strategy, involving all role-players, to deal with the scourge of drugs is required.

The Department of Social Development is the lead department focusing on demand reduction of drugs. This department was responsible for the establishment of the Central Drug Authority and the adoption of a Drug Master Plan for South Africa, both of which are now in place.

The Central Drug Authority has been approached to form a partnership with the SAPS and the Department of Education in regard to preventing drug use in schools and to develop effective programmes to reduce the demand for drugs. Through the implementation of the Drug Master Plan it is expected that all departments will become involved in demand reduction.

The Department of Education is currently in the process of developing a National Drug Abuse Policy for schools that deal with drug use and abuse in schools, drug testing in schools and prevention programmes in this regard. This policy should be available in two months time. SANCA is also involved in various local programmes with the Department of Social Development dealing with both treatment and prevention of drug abuse.

In the SAPS, prevention programmes form part of social crime prevention programmes at station, area and provincial level.

Informing and educating children, parents, teachers and communities about drug abuse and how to deal with and prevent it, is a major part of youth crime prevention programmes. Adopt-a-cop programmes that are implemented in secondary and primary schools focus on raising awareness and helping learners and schools how to identify problems relating to drugs and how to deal with it.

The Narcotics Bureau of the SAPS is frequently included in these awareness programmes. These programmes are linked to the Department of Education's Safer Schools Programme, which also focus on prevention of and dealing with drug abuse in schools.

In the workbook for safer schools that was produced by the SAPS and Department of Education one section deals specifically with drugs and provides guidelines for schools on how to deal with this issue. Some good examples exist where partnerships have been formed with professional institutions that deal with drug abuse to refer children for treatment where drug dependence already exists (Garsfontein, Mamelodi, Soweto Area).

Support groups like Tough Love and Inter-Trauma Nexus also involved to help communities deal with drug dependency. The focus is on both prevention and support.

The SAPS Crime Prevention units and SANAB also frequently participate in public events like shows, community awareness days and sporting events where information about drugs is distributed and awareness raised. Youth crime prevention initiatives involving youth organisations like those established in Kwa Mashu in Kwa Zulu-Natal and in the Cape Peninsula also focus on making young people more resilient to the threat of drug abuse. The SAPS operational strategy to deal with drugs focuses, amongst others, on international and regional co-operation, control of the inflow of drugs across our borders, the identification and targeting of drug syndicates and disruption of their supply and various police actions in high crime areas. Criminal organisations operate easily across frontiers, exploiting the fact that government and law enforcement agencies still have to operate in a bordered world with porous borders.

The political transition in South Africa, for example, has been accompanied by an upsurge of indigenous criminal organisations and the influx of groups from outside the country, as well as an increase in the problems of drug abuse and trafficking.

The international drug-control system is governed by a series of UN treaties. These treaties require that governments exercise control over the production and distribution of narcotic and psychotropic substances, combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking, maintain the necessary administrative machinery and report to international organs on their actions.

South Africa is a signatory to a number of international conventions on drugs, as well as the Protocol on Combating Illicit Drug trafficking in the SADC region.

Equally important are the other areas of international cooperation. Close operational ties exist between the SAPS and Interpol. South Africa also hosts drug liaison officers from a number of countries, the UK, USA, Germany and France. SAPS placed Drug Liaison Officers in the UK, Brazil, Nigeria, Swaziland, Mozambique and Namibia to enhance cooperation on intelligence sharing and joint operations.

Recently, several ministers of the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster accompanied Deputy President Jacob Zuma to Mexico and Columbia. Co-operation agreements with regard to drug trafficking were signed between South Africa and these countries. In the future, we also intend to visit India to establish a similar co-operative relationship to combat drug trafficking.

In terms of the regional agreements, the SAPS have conducted a number of cross border operations. Last year, in co-operation with the Mozambique police, a drug factory was closed down in Maputo.
The various policing agencies also share intelligence with regard to drug shipments, traffickers and new routes that are being used.

For the period January 2000 to November 2000 the South African Narcotics bureau were also involved in 49 controlled deliveries of drugs in co-operation with various countries, including Germany, USA, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.

The internal operational strategy of the SAPS to deal with drugs, which is part of the National Crime Combating Strategy (NCCS) and similar to the approach to combating illegal firearms, involves the cutting off of smuggling routes, the interception of drugs at border posts and ports of entry, the destruction of dagga plantations, the dismantling of illicit laboratories and the targeting of syndicates. This is all being intensified as our knowledge increases.

In terms of the organised crime approach of the NCCS, organised crime task groups have been established to deal with, amongst others, drug syndicates. We intend to further expand the task groups to specifically focus on drugs. In terms of the geographical approach, the SAPS carries out searches, cordon and search operations, roadblocks, as well as raids in the hot spot areas. At South Africa's 96 official ports of entry, including 36 designated international airports that contribute to poor border control and easy access, strict measures have been adopted in an effort to tighten access and thereby stem the influx of drugs and arms.

In terms of these measures, bulk commercial traffic is to be cleared through only 19 of the 52 existing land border posts and cargo at only 10 of the 36 airports. This is part of the NCPS programme to generally tighten and improve border control. The SAPS has placed dedicated Harbour and Airport interdiction teams at different ports of entry.

SAPS Border Police has a presence at 53 border posts, seven international airports and seven sea harbours.

Various high-tech equipment has also been installed at these entry points: C Static baggage x-ray scanners (for the scanning of smaller parcels and passenger baggage) C Walk through metal detectors C Infra red telescope camera systems C Fibre scope inspection kits (tailgating) C Handheld ammunition/explosive detective systems C Handheld GPS's C Video and digital cameras C IT equipment
A body scanner for Johannesburg International Airport and a Pellet x-ray scanner for scanning of cargo at airport, will also be installed. There is no doubt that the problem of drugs and its impact on crime is a huge one. The SAPS has managed to score major successes, in terms of seizing vast quantities of drugs, closing down drug laboratories and neutralising syndicates.

For example, the SAPS, in co-operation with the shipping industry, recently dealt a crushing blow against international drug trafficking syndicates. On 10 July a vessel, en route from Argentina to China, was intercepted and 116 kg of cocaine with a street value of R250-million was seized. Just weeks later a vessel on route from Brazil to North China was discovered to have 155kg of cocaine on board with an estimated street value of R325-million. In support of these measures, the implementation of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, the DNA database, the decentralisation of the Forensics Science Laboratory to the provinces, the training of personnel, the restructuring of our detective units into organised crime and serious violent crime units, are all intended to increase our effectiveness in the fight against crime and drugs.

As I have said before, the South African Police Service is the cutting edge in this fight against crime. However, we cannot do it alone.

We need to say NO NO to the false reporting of crime NO to stolen goods; and NO to drugs.
If we can close the market for drugs and stolen goods, we will make a huge dent in the levels of crime in South Africa.

For this we are relying on the support of all. Thank you.