Deputy President Paul Mashatile says security forces are more than ready to tackle any incident
Image: Parliament RSA
Deputy President Paul Mashatile addresses parliament, assuring that South Africa is better prepared to handle crime and intelligence failures following the 2021 riots, with plans for increased police recruitment and improved intelligence-led policing
On Thursday he said that South Africa would not be caught wanting again due to intelligence failures - failures that took place during the catastrophic riots that took place in KwaZulu-Natal in 2021.
“We are better prepared now, and the improvements are currently being rolled out. We are equipping the intelligence services,” Mashatile said.
“We will not be caught wanting or caught by surprise. We have learnt the lessons. Our security forces are more than ready to tackle any incident that may come up,” he said.
He was responding to a follow-up question from MK Party chief whip Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi during the question-and-answer session in the National Assembly.
Mokoena-Zondi asked in her main question whether the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cabinet Committee had met its targets in the wake of the persistent increase in violent crime and unresolved intelligence failures.
In his response, Mashatile said violent crime remained a grave concern for all South Africans.
“The JCPS continues to monitor implementation of targets that have been set. Current statistics show that there is visible progress in some areas.”
He also said the conviction rate for sexual offenses now exceeds 77% and that joint operations targeting illegal mining and gangsterism have resulted in arrests and prosecution.
“We are strengthening intelligence-led policing and modernising the justice system to restore safety and trust.”
Mashatile noted that the crime statistics recently released by SAPS indicated that while some improvements have been recorded in certain categories of crime, the overall levels of crime remained a serious concern.
He added that the government will recruit an additional 20,000 police officers.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the deployment of members of the South African National Defence Force for service in cooperation with the South African Police Services. This deployment serves to prevent and combat crime and support and preserve law and order under Operation Prosper, which is targeting, as I said, illegal mining and gangsterism.”
Referring to the 2021 riots in KwaZulu-Natal, Mashatile said it was clear that there was a lack of intelligence-led policing.
“We have now decided that our policing must be intelligence-driven to ensure that we are successful in combating crime. I do not have indicators now that shows the success of this, but when we do our review next time, we will be able to see the success story of this approach.”
Mashatile said the justice system must be integrated for South Africa to be successful.
Mashatile also said the role of communities in fighting crime was critical.
He noted with concern that community policing forums were not given priority.
“Many of us do not think they are important, but the communities must always be the eyes and ears of the police on the ground. There is no better intelligence you can get than the one you get from the community."