Crime: 'more targeted approach needed'
Nthambeleni Gabara
5 December 2008
A more targeted and systematic approach is needed to tackle the high levels of crime in South Africa, says Safety and Security Minister Nathi Mthethwa, the first step being to engage all stakeholders and discuss appropriate responses and approaches.
"What is required is not only that these crimes receive priority and focused attention, but also that we develop a clear programme to address such illegal activities," he told delegates attending a two-day Anti-Crime Conference in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, this week.
The conference was held to devise plans for the expansion of the many partnerships existing between the government and various sectors of society to prevent and combat crime, which Mthethwa acknowledged was a key challenge facing the country.
Such partnerships are encouraged by the country's National Crime Prevention Strategy, which requires broader societal responsibility and a more proactive approach to crime prevention.
Immediate-term impact
Mthethwa said there was also a need to implement approaches which would in the immediate term have an impact on crime levels, which would also lead to communities having greater confidence in the police.
To accomplish such immediate action, he said the country needed to review the current safety and security, approaches and strategies within the South African Police Service (SAPS), and strengthen and position private-public partnerships.
"In crafting this coordinated SAPS plan of action, we need to be frank about what is working and what requires serious attention and intervention," he said. "We need to examine key areas of policing and focus on a few selected areas that will significantly impact on crime."
Coordination, communication, accountability
In this regard, three key challenges needed to become a focus of any new or revised SAPS approach, namely coordination, communication and accountability.
"Any approach must speak to these three crucial areas and while there may be other aspects of policing that should be incorporated, if we can focus on improving these three fundamental elements of policing, criminals will without doubt be dealt a severe blow," Mthethwa said.
He also spoke about the significance of reshaping the criminal justice system in order to meet the challenges posed by both organised and general crime: "Substantial work has already gone into this process and resources allocated to ensuring its success with particular focus on integrating the different government databases."
Source: BuaNews
