Plan to reshuffle SAPS encouraging
The nationwide police reshuffle to combat the high crime rate is promising news. We are encouraged by the police plans, at least on paper, to combat the high crime rate on several fronts – that is what its primary task is and anything that enhances this should be done as swiftly as possible. Not only that, but “threat-based desks” to monitor crimes such as narcotics, poaching, gangsterism and illicit cigarette smuggling are also a constructive idea as each region may have slightly different patterns of crime.
The ongoing gang violence and killings in Nelson Mandela Bay, for example, warrant special attention, and the news of yet another rhino killed near Jeffreys Bay at the weekend suggests another focus area for this region.
Forensic and crime investigation academic Professor Rudolph Zinn has warned the new crime-fighting branches will have to be carefully managed.
He is 100% correct, of course, although the SA Police Union has warned that the force already has too many generals and not enough “bobbies on the beat”.
There may never be enough “bobbies on the beat”, however, as many crimes such as child pornography, drug deals and fraud are committed on the internet.
Our law enforcement agencies, therefore, must increasingly keep their eye on crime on the “dark web”, an unregulated and largely invisible part of the internet.
The Herald reports today that under the reshuffled commercial crimes branch there is to be an electronic crime section, as well as cyber-crime and deep web investigation units. The family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit also gets a sub-division for electronic investigations which include child pornography.
These are areas where a mixture of experience and youth with the necessary cyber-skills could make a crack team. And there already are sharp men and women in the SAPS at all levels – you need only look at the stories of Constable Ridwaan Baatjies and Captain Bulelani Msongelwa today to be heartened by the calibre of our protectors.
Recruit those who want to serve, offer professional training and get cracking.