Fransman keen to deflect from real issue
You have not called for better resourcing in province... Surely the sensible thing is to deploy more resources
IT WOULD appear that Premier Helen Zille’s recent Inside Government newsletter (The Puzzle of Gangs, Drugs, Police and Politics in the Western Cape, October 15), has touched a nerve in the ANC. And, more specifically, with Marius Fransman, the ANC provincial leader.
Mr Fransman’s recent letter reveals how keen he is to deflect from the real issue – allegations of links between the drug trade, gangs and politics in the Western Cape.
The allegations arise out of a case heading to court on November 20.
The matter involves the allegedly unlawful seizure by SAPS of equipment and documents belonging to a crime intelligence officer.
The information seized allegedly points to the involvement of high-ranking police officers in corruption, and collusion with gangsters and politicians.
That is the real issue, Mr Fransman.
You spent at least 1 000 words trying to deflect from this matter.
Anyone who truly cares about the safety of Western Cape communities would support the cause of truth and justice.
If there is anything to be revealed about any deliberate undermining of policing in the province, it will come out in court.
If there is nothing to these allegations then we all have nothing to be worried about, surely?
It is a matter of public record, however, that communities most in danger of violence and drug crimes are most under-resourced by SAPS.
The national average for the distribution of police officers is one for every 328 citizens. The ratio in Khayelitsha is 1:556. In the neighbouring Harare precinct it’s 1:878, in Nyanga 1:777, and in Mitchell’s Plain 1:427.
This is an unacceptable response to communities at the heart of 33 percent of all drug crime in South Africa, and some of the highest murder rates nationally.
Consider further that Gang and Drug Units are no closer to reinstatement, despite escalating crime. And since the specialised vehicle theft unit was disbanded, hijackings increased by 60 percent in one year. The absence of a specialised SAPS response effectively gave the criminals free rein.
Then consider that during the ANC years in provincial government, new police recruitments averaged 1 259 per year. During the DA years, recruitment dropped to an average of 460 per year – a 60 percent decrease. The question is: Why?
Mr Fransman, your (lack of) knowledge of the various powers and responsibilities afforded to the various different departments of government is concerning, especially for a former deputy minister and now the ANC provincial leader.
Section 206 of the constitution places policing responsibility with national government. The same section outlines the oversight role of the provinces.
It is interesting to note what a great job you claim the ANC did when you governed the Western Cape.
But it was only after our administration passed the Community Safety Act that the concept of “oversight” was defined and actually put into practice. Effectively we introduced meaningful oversight into a system where policing went without checks and balances in the previous administration.
What we have not done, Mr Fransman, is make excuses for our limited powers. We have stretched these to the very limit and continue to do so.
If you are so committed to policing and the oversight role of the province, why has the national government or the ANC in the Western Cape not supported the Office of the Police Ombudsman, led by Advocate Vusi Pikoli?
This office plays a critical role in investigating policing complaints, the subpoena of witnesses and making recommendations to the Safety MEC.
Instead of supporting this critical office – aimed at assisting policing and encouraging community involvement in safety – the National Commissioner Riah Phiyega (now suspended) wrote us a threatening letter questioning the constitutionality of the Police Ombudsman’s powers, and several sections of the Community Safety Act.
Meanwhile, the ANC in the Western Cape simply criticised the appointment of the ombudsman. Your party certainly has a way of showing support for oversight, Mr Fransman.
It is also concerning to note how little you know about the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry.
The people of Khayelitsha approached the Premier and not the other way round.
In response to their call, the commission was established, but faced opposition from the National Government through minister Nathi Mthethwa who took the matter to the Western Cape High Court and eventually the Constitutional Court, where they lost on all occa- sions. To argue that we have never engaged communities is, therefore, very ignorant of you, Mr Fransman.
What must be understood by you and everyone in the ANC, both nationally and provincially, is that the Commission was established to assist the police in their work by recommending ways in which relations could be improved.
I also find it curious that you have not called for better resourcing in the province, Mr Fransman.
Surely, the sensible thing is to deploy more resources to the worst affected areas.
The ANC has thrived on insinuating that Premier Zille has, on purpose, deployed fewer resources to these areas, while, in fact, it is the ANC National Government that has taken a decision not to deploy better police resources to the most affected areas.
Again refer to the constitution (section 206) on who has the power to change this.
Your difficulty, Mr Fransman, is that you lead the opposition in this province, of a party which is quickly losing credibility nationally.
I challenge you, if you are in support of greater accountability to welcome the court case on November 20. Start there before anything else. Michael Mpofu