Untitled - Saps

1994/1995
10 Years of Policing in a Democracy 1995 – 2005
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• The previous 11 police agencies (the SAP and 10 former homeland agencies) and Non-
Statutory Forces entered a process of amalgamation and rationalization to create a single
police service, the SAPS, which functions at national and provincial levels. Policing in
South Africa was traditionally dominated by various laws that were undemocratic and
that were rejected by the majority of people in the country. However, transformation
by means of community policing that would see a shift from a police force to a police
service was in progress to establish an active partnership between the police and the
community.
• Mr Sydney Mufamadi was appointed Minister for Safety and Security. Mr Joe Matthews
was appointed Deputy Minister for Safety and Security. Mr Azhar Cachalia was
appointed Director-General for the Secretariat for Safety and Security.
• The managerial style of the new SAPS began a process of transformation, moving from
an autocratic, bureaucratic and militaristic style of command to a managerial style
characterized by participation and problem-solving. This transformation entailed respect
for, and sensitivity towards, the fundamental rights of all members of the community
- including all members of the new SAPS.
• As part of the government’s war on crime, a seven-point plan was announced
in 1995 to improve the effectiveness of policing. The plan involved redeploying
resources - both human and material; improving visible policing; arresting most-wanted
suspects; supplying police stations in all the flashpoint areas with the necessary logistics to
increase their effectiveness; restructuring border-control functions; utilizing technology
such as helicopter video units in flashpoint areas; and setting tougher bail conditions for
serious crimes.
• A new basic training project for SAPS members, geared toward producing constables
equipped for community policing, was launched.
• The SAPS divisions included the following:
Division Community Relations: The division had a consultative function and liaised
internally with fellow police divisions and externally with communities to find solutions
to problems and to formulate policies, priorities and strategies. The division mobilized
all resources available to a community to resolve problems of disorder and to promote
safety and security.
Division Crime Combating and Investigation: The division consisted of the following units
and bureaus:
- A National Bureau for Missing Persons (established in October 1994), which worked
closely with Crime Stop, a programme launched in 1993. (The programme has
recovered stolen property and narcotics worth more than R1 billion since 1994.)
- The Commercial Crime Unit, formerly known as the Commercial Branch, had
its headquarters in Johannesburg. There were several Commercial Crime units
throughout South Africa.
- The Forensic Science Laboratory, which consisted of the Analytical Chemistry,
Biology, Ballistics, Disputed Documents and Electronics Units.
- The Diamond and Gold Branch which was charged with combating illicit dealing
in, and possession of rough or uncut diamonds, semiprecious stones, tiger’s-eye and
unwrought precious metal such as gold, silver and platinum.
- The South African Narcotics Bureau, which combated drug-related crime on an
organized and specialized basis throughout the country.
- The Murder and Robbery units, which were stationed in Pretoria, Benoni, Soweto,
Johannesburg, Krugersdorp, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
- The Robbery Reaction Unit, which was formed to combat a wave of street robberies,
handbag snatching and pick pocketing in central Johannesburg.