Crime fighting plan revamped

2006-08-01 14:48

Cape Town - The violent nature of crime in South Africa is to be investigated as part of a revamped crime fighting plan, Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula said on Tuesday.

During a media briefing in Pretoria, Nqakula also provided further details of the strategy endorsed by cabinet at its lekgotla last week.

"The JCPS (justice, crime prevention and security cabinet cluster) is worried about the violent nature of crime in South Africa.

"Cabinet has endorsed a recommendation to commission a study on the matter by the Institute for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation.

"Draft terms of reference are being formulated for presentation to cabinet," he said.

Working together

In the next six months, the police and other law enforcement agencies would concentrate their effort on organised crime, especially organised aggravated robbery.

The agencies were working together with Business Against Crime, the South African Banking Council and the South African Reserve Bank to improve security measures to curb aggravated robbery.

Special teams had been established in the provinces to deal with organised crime, while other teams would concentrate on finding suspects against whom there were outstanding warrants of arrest.

"Our intelligence units have been put on alert to gather relevant information to facilitate investigations," Nqakula said.

These units would also receive increased funding and human resources.

A list had been compiled of about 250 individuals who were part of organised aggravated robberies.

Many of these were repeat offenders, with some individuals facing up to 95 charges each, he said.

There were at least 2 899 foreigners, sentenced and awaiting trial, who were arrested for serious and violent crimes (1 310), commercial crimes (879), drugs (314), sexual offences (161), and common robberies (235).

These criminals hailed from across the globe, but largely from Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

About 70 to 80% of all murders were a consequence of social crime, with alcohol and substance abuse at its core, Nqakula said.

Most murders, attempted murders, rapes, attempted rapes and serious assaults happened over weekends.

Combating such crime needed effective community involvement and efforts were under way to mobilise communities against crime.

A recent analysis of 9 623 dockets indicated that in 81.5% of the murders the perpetrators were known to the victims and in 46% of those cases the perpetrators were relatives, friends or acquaintances of the victims.

Many charges withdrawn

The figures for serious and violent assault indicated that in 89.1% of cases the perpetrators were known to the victim (72.9% were relatives, friends or acquaintances), while in 75.9% of rape cases the perpetrators were known to the victims (57% being relatives, friends or acquaintances of the victims).

"The cases are difficult to investigate because of the relationship between victims and perpetrators where levels of intimidation and family pressures are very high. Many of the cases, consequently, are withdrawn and do not reach court," he said.

All border control measures were also being reviewed to deal with cross-border crime.

A national border control and security strategy had been finalised and a national border control centre established to house the project.

All requirements regarding personnel, information, communications and technology as well as security infrastructure would be in place by the end of August.

- SAPA