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South Africa takes the fight to crime

Proffesor Ndawonde

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16 September 2009

South Africa is considering reintroducing specialised units, like the child protection unit, to strengthen its hand in the war against crime, while also seeking to amend the country's laws to empower the police to respond more appropriately to dangerous criminals.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said in Pretoria this week that the closure of the child protection and sexual offences units in 2006 had led to significant debate on the need for certain types of crimes to be addressed by people with specialised knowledge and experience.

"Some of this knowledge and experience can only be acquired through direct engagements in such areas," Mthethwa said. "The ministry is currently considering the reintroduction of some of these specialised units, in particular the child protection unit and sexual offences units," he said.

The units were devolved to local police stations because it was believed that increased oversight of their work would strengthen the provision of services to communities.

Mthethwa said the move to reintroduce the units was part of efforts to deal with crimes perpetrated against women and children. "Violence against women and children is still prevalent in South Africa, and government has to respond to the situation effectively," he said.

Dealing with dangerous criminals

Meanwhile, the Department of Police, together with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, will soon table amendments to Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which are aimed at giving police a freer hand to tackle criminals.

National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele said these changed sections would give police the power to respond more appropriately to dangerous criminals.

"These criminals are planning for weeks, and one of their intentions is to eliminate whoever interrupts their plans," he said. "They carry big guns, and police cannot just smile if criminals shoot at them."

Mthethwa emphasised, however, that this did not mean giving police a licence to kill. "We must hasten to say that trigger-happy members of the police must not think that this is a licence to kill."

"It is a measure aimed specifically at serious violent crime and dangerous criminals," he said.

Source: BuaNews