MINISTRY MEDIA BRIEFING
JUSTICE, CRIME PREVENTION AND SECURITY CLUSTER (JCPS)
25 May 2004
Relevant Documents
Justice, Crime Prevent and Security Cluster (JCPS) Parliamentary Media Briefing (see appendix) Summary The Minister of Safety and Security, Mr C Nqakula, delivered the Cluster’s briefing. Minister B Balfour (Ministry of Correctional Services) and Minister R Kasrils (Ministry of Intelligence) aided Minister Nqakula in responding to the media’s questions.
MINSTER OF SAFETY AND SECURITY BRIEFING
The improvement of the country’s safety and security entails reviewing the criminal justice system, reducing contact crimes, recruiting and training law enforcement and intelligence agencies, implementing an effective border control and security strategy, and dealing with the social roots of crime. The JCPS Cluster has developed a "comprehensive, well-integrated, and coordinated programme of action" to meet these security priorities.
Review of the Criminal Justice System Additional human and material resources will be made available to improve rehabilitation programmes in the attempt to decrease the 60% recidivism rate. Partnerships will be established with civil society organisations. The pilot project on inmate tracking, started in Durban and Johannesburg, will be accelerated with information technology.
Sexual Offences and Other Forms of Abuse against Women and Children Specialised investigators will look into sexual offences and other forms of abuse against women and children. Ten or more sexual offence courts will be established annually over the next five years. More Thuthuzela centres will be constructed to report, investigate, and prosecute crimes against women and children. Attention will also focus on the development of rape correction programmes.
Railway Police Four hundred additional personnel have been recruited for the new railway policing pilot project, to be implemented in Cape Town in 2005.
Forensic Services New technology is assisting Forensic Laboratories in dealing with increased amounts of case work. The Integrated Ballistics Information System (IBIS) has been upgraded to improve capacity. An automated forensic DNA typing system will be installed. A Gold Finger printing database is being developed at Scientific Analysis.
Intelligence Capacity Attention will be focused on the collection of quality information and the improvement of analytical capacity, in the hope of anticipating threats rather than describing them. Border security continues to be tightened in order to prevent the threat of international terrorism.
Immigration A programme has been implemented to transform Immigration Services and improve border control and security. An interdepartmental training institution will be established to develop the skills of those deployed at ports of entry.
Border Control Fifty-three land ports of entry will be upgraded and new border posts will be built. The presence of immigration officers will be increased at all ports of entry.
Cluster Co-ordination Co-operation between the JCPS, the Social Sector, and the Economic Cluster will be enhanced in an effort to deal with social crimes. Profiles of crime and social factors will be developed in areas with the highest rates of contact crime. Much work is being done to better understand the causes of social crime.
Peacekeeping The SANDF will continue to support the peacekeeping efforts of the United Nations and those African countries who appeal for assistance through the African Union. Projects have been designed to assist the DRC in finalising the peace process.
Policing Oversight The Independent Complaints Directorate is continually asked to assist in Africa. Oversight mechanisms among neighbouring states will be established.
2010 World Cup The Cluster will address those issues surrounding safety and security during the 2010 World Cup.
Discussion A member of the press asked about the Cluster’s plans to deal with Awaiting Trial Prisoners and overcrowded prisons.
Minister Balfour replied that the Cluster is working together to eliminate the problem Awaiting Trial Prisoners pose for the prison system.
A member of the press referred to President Mbeki’s promise to arrest the two hundred worst criminals by the end of the year. He asked if there is a list naming these criminals.
Minister Nqakula stated that Intelligence is in the processing of apprehending the two hundred worst criminals and does not want to make the names of these criminals public for fear they will go underground or leave the country. He assured the press that the Cluster will maintain the timeframes established by the President.
A journalist from Cape Talk asked for an elaboration of the sixty-three areas deemed to have the highest incidences of crime.
Minister Ngakula noted that the sixty-three areas with the highest crime rates are dispersed throughout the country. He asserted that many people commit crime out of need. Therefore, it is not possible to rely only on the police. Rather, the Cluster must establish effective partnerships with those Departments dealing with social issues relevant to crime prevention. He mentioned that Khayelitsha has the highest incidence of crime in the country. Rape and gang related activities account for most of the crime in the area. Of the ten gangs in Khayelitsha, six are comprised mainly of individuals under the age of eighteen. He stressed once again the need to work with other Clusters to eliminate economic deprivation, as it is the root cause of much crime.
A reporter from Die Burger referred to the President’s statement that certain categories of prisoners will be released. He asked which prisoners the President planned to release.
Minister Balfour noted that it is the President’s prerogative to oversee the release of prisoners.
A journalist from Independent Newspapers questioned how the Cluster intended to apprehend the two hundred worst criminals without releasing their names. He argued that the general public must be part of any effective crime prevention strategy and that their involvement necessitates they be aware of wanted criminals in their communities.
Minister Nqakula assured the press that all of the two hundred worst criminals are well-known to members of those Departments responsible for their arrest. He explained that the police work in such a way as to involve community members without necessitating the public release of the criminals’ names.
A member of the press asked about the general trend of crime statistics in the country.
Minister Nqakula asserted that national crime statistics indicate that crime, while still high, is declining throughout the country. The Cluster is hoping to reduce crime by seven to ten percent annually over the next five years. He lamented that rape still occurs at alarming rates, the perpetrators of which are often individuals who know their victims well.
A reporter from the Sunday Times asked whether the two hundred worst criminals are wanted for committing heinous crimes or whether they are wanted for organising major crimes.
Minister Nqakula stated that the two hundred worst criminals are both individuals who have committed heinous crimes and individuals who are the leaders of organised crime.
A member of the press asked about the two specialised units assigned to apprehending the two hundred worst criminals. He also noted that there are five times as many captains as foot soldiers on the police force, thereby limiting the percentage of staff who are actually involved in the groundwork of crime prevention. He questioned what the Cluster plans to do to rectify this problem.
Minister Nqakula discussed the report from Institute of Security Studies regarding the proportion of captains to foot soldiers. He noted that foot soldiers who do the actual work of crime prevention receive low salaries. He mentioned that the Cluster is working on the best way to redefine the salary structure in order to rectify such inequities. Public Services and Administration are helping the Cluster to find an acceptable formula for a new salary structure.
A journalist from the Independent Newspapers asked how the Cluster plans to measure the apprehension of the two hundred worst criminals. He also wanted to know why communities continue to complain about crime if statistics indicate that crime is decreasing.
Minister Nqakula replied that community members have the right to complain about crime, although they must admit that response time has improved significantly over the years. He reiterated the fact that crime has been decreasing and admitted that, while he may still not be satisfied with the current crime rate, he is pleased with effectiveness of many of the programmes that have been implemented over the past ten years. He stressed the need to continue focusing on the reduction of crime.
A reporter from SABC asked if the recent figure indicating that eighty percent of the police force moonlights is correct. He also wanted to know how the joint teams assigned to arrest the two hundred worst criminals would be constituted.
Minister Nqakula asserted that less than eighty percent of the police force moonlights and that the eighty percent figure greatly exaggerates the truth.
A journalist from ETV asked how rehabilitation programmes address the differing needs of short-term and long-term prisoners.
Minister Balfour noted that, within current facilities, Correctional Services attempts to separate short-term, long-term, and juvenile offenders. The Department is concentrating on grouping inmates correctly, in such a way that promotes the specific goals of rehabilitation programmes designed for different classes of prisoners.
A reporter from SABC wanted to know about the Cluster’s cooperation with neighbouring countries and wanted to hear about South Africa’s plans to adhere to international law.
Minister Kasrils stated that cooperation between intelligence agencies is increasing. The Cluster is focusing on collaborating with the governments of other countries on the continent. He stressed the importance of insuring the proper checks and balances between intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies, pointing out that abuses of power can occur when intelligence agencies overstep their boundaries and begin to make and enforce policy, as seen in the case of prisoner abuse in Iraq.
A member of the press asked if there is a reward for assisting in the arrest of the two hundred worst criminals.
Minister Nqakula said that there are rewards for apprehending some of the two hundred worst criminals.
The meeting was adjourned.
Appendix: JUSTICE, CRIME PREVENT AND SECURITY CLUSTER (JCPS) PARLIAMENTARY MEDIA BRIEFING
25 May 2004
KEY TO GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME OF ACTION, as outlined in the State of the Nation address, is our duty to improve the safety and security of all our citizens and communities. This involves, among others, an entire review of the criminal justice system, integration between the security and social clusters to deal with the social roots of the many crimes communities experience, reducing contact crimes, recruitment and skilling of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and the implementation of an effective border control and security strategy - all aimed at improving the quality of life of all our people.
The JCPS Cluster, comprising Safety and Security, Defence, Intelligence, Justice, Home Affairs and Correctional Services, has developed a comprehensive, well-integrated and coordinated programme of action to meet government's security priorities.
1. Review of the Criminal Justice System
A major challenge for the cluster is that about 60 percent of convicted persons in Correctional Services are repeat offenders. To respond to this we will make available more human and material resources to enhance our rehabilitation programme. We will also establish partnerships with a larger number of civil society organs to make possible more opportunities for inmates to be released from prison in a bid to prevent recidivism. Using the benefits of information technology, we will accelerate a pilot project on inmate tracking started in Durban and Johannesburg.
A comprehensive review of the entire Criminal Justice System will be proposed to Cabinet.
Sexual Offences and other forms of abuse against women and children
Particular attention will be paid to sexual offences and other forms of abuse against women and children with more specialised investigators to be made available and additional sexual offences courts established. To date government has established 50 such courts around the country. During the next five years, government will establish at least 10 such courts a year.
More Thuthuzela centres will be built to speed up the reporting, investigation and prosecution of crimes against women and children. These centres perform a multipurpose function to support victims of sexual offences. Trauma councillors, prosecutors and officials from relevant departments operate from the same complex thereby speeding up the investigation and prosecution of such crimes. Focused attention is being given to the development of rape correction programmes targeting especially young first offenders.
Railway Police
A pilot project of a newly devised railway policing structure will be implemented in Cape Town beginning 2005. Already 400 additional personnel have been recruited and will begin training in June until December 2004.
Forensic Services
The Forensic Laboratories are experiencing rapid growth in case work, with an increase of 22 percent in 2003. To meet the challenges facing these laboratories, new technology has already been introduced.
Fields of expertise include Ballistics, Questioned Documents, Biology, Scientific Analysis (Electronics, Material Analysis) Chemistry and Explosives.
At Ballistics, the Integrated Ballistics Information System (IBIS) was upgraded recently to improve capacity.
At Biology an automated forensic DNA typing system is to be installed soon. In addition the DNA analysis capacity will be decentralised to the KwaZulu-Natal laboratory in the near future to address the high demand experienced there.
A Gold Finger printing database is being developed at Scientific Analysis where the voice comparison ability has been upgraded.
Cognisance must be taken of the fact that scientific analysis is in most cases technically complex and time-consuming. For example, it takes at least 12 weeks to obtain a DNA profile.
Intelligence Capacity
Following the President's lead as set out in the State of the Nation Address, the Intelligence Services too will pursue a business-like approach to delivery on their mandate. To provide the necessary intelligence support for government programmes, a key priority identified by the Cluster is the enhancement of the intelligence capacity - particularly in the areas of collection of quality information and improving the analytical capacity in both the immediate and long-term. Additional resources will go towards the training of members and the recruitment of high level specialists in the technical fields as well as improvement in the arena of human intelligence. These are critical areas requiring attention if intelligence is to provide the timeous information required by government.
The Intelligence Services are in the process of greatly enhancing both their outreach - internationally and domestically - and their analytical capacity so that they play a greater role in anticipating rather than describing threats. The achievement of this will require far greater cooperation and coordination of the Intelligence Services, both with our national role players and international partners.
International terrorism remains a world threat and the Intelligence Services will continue to tighten our border security - through cooperation with the JCPS Cluster departments - to ensure that the loopholes are closed and that greater efficiency is achieved.
Immigration
An accelerated programme to transform the immigration service and improve border control and security is underway. Such improvements relate to information management, the utilisation of specialised equipment to detect goods, drugs and explosives at ports of entry.
An interdepartmental training institution, specialising in skills development programmes for those deployed at ports of entry, will be established. Cabinet has committed itself to the transformation of the immigration service into an effective agency and a task team has already been established to fast track the implementation of this important task.
Border Control
We will finalise the upgrading of the 53 land ports of entry and build new border posts for, among others, the new transfrontier conservation areas. Efforts are being fast-tracked to enable our services to address areas of corruption around entry on our borders. We intend increasing the presence of immigration officers at all ports of entry.
Cluster co-ordination
Improved cooperation between the JCPS and the Social Sector and Economic clusters to deal with social crimes, will be established. A crime and socio-graphic profile of areas in the country with the highest incidence of contact crimes is to be conducted. The profiles will be used to develop action plans in co-operation with various role-players to address causes of crime, especially social crimes.
We are already working with the Human Sciences Research Council and Statistics South Africa to further enrich our understanding of the generators of social crime. We will also work with relevant provincial governments and local authorities to formulate programmes that will form part of our social crime prevention thrust.
10. Peacekeeping
The SANDF will continue to participate in the UN's peacekeeping efforts and in other instances where there is an appeal for assistance received from countries in Africa through the AU.
Special projects have been defined for a number of departments as part of an intervention to help the DRC to finalise the peace programme. Cluster departments to be part of these efforts are: SAPS, SASS, Justice, SANDF and Home Affairs. Home Affairs will develop a system of election registration in the DRC.
11. Policing Oversight
The Independent Complaints Directorate in its oversight role of the police is continually asked to assist in Africa. This is in line with one of the imperatives of NEPAD -- the promotion and protection of human rights. Exchanges are already taking place to establish oversight mechanisms among neighbouring states.
12. 2010 World Cup
Structures are in place to address issues relevant to the Cluster in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup to be played in South Africa.