A few months ago my neighbour and I were the victims of five burglaries in a matter of four weeks. Meanwhile, others in the area were also reporting similar criminal activities. At a crime sector meeting, a SAPS General disclosed and boasted about reduced crime statistics. This left me speechless, as it was obvious that we, as community were just a bunch of whingers.
A few days later my house was burgled for the third time. On this occasion the perpetrators jumped a 2m fence, broke the washing line at the back of my house, using the post to force a window open as well as the burglar bars and only fleeing when the infrared passive was activated. They jumped a 3m high wall and a 2.8m high fence before disappearing into the night. The police registered a document of malicious damage to property (a clear indication of “struggle statistics”) and then advised me to rather improve security at my property instead of expecting the SAPS to investigate these cases.
This morning I read a report by the S.A. Institute of Race Relations, claiming that 52% of crimes in this country are never reported. More disturbing, 3 murders a day are never reported! (http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/17m-crimes-a-year-not-reported-SAIRR-20130319#).
It’s been almost a year since the Richmond Hill Sector Crime Forum-saga was triggered by the Humewood SAPS and CPF. As former academic in Policing Studies, specialising in Community Policing, I find the entire drama both intriguing and disturbing. The system is being abused by the SAPS to suit their needs and hide their incompetence. CPF’s have become rubberstamps for SAPS failures and positions on the Executive Committees are reserved for defenders of the deficient institution. For example, the executive members of Humewood CPF will always be lackeys elected from Sector 3. This Sector has by far the most potential voters. The sector demarcation was done by the SAPS and constructed to exclude executive members from Sectors 1 and 2, thereby avoiding the more “difficult” middleclass socio-economic demands.
Community Policing (Sector Policing) was developed to involve communities in crime prevention and to take charge of their own safety and security in conjunction with effective policing. This can only be achieved when all communities are represented at CPF level. At the moment the current CPF constitution does not take the policing needs and requirements of Sectors 1 and 2 into account. These sectors will always have to toe the Sector 1 (SAPS) line.
The flawed Constitution is also the cause of so many misinterpretations and arguments between Sector 1 and the Humewood CPF, in particular John Preller. During the course of many meetings, the latter had to admit that he “had heard” about decisions – he was never informed by Richmond Hillers, because they were never part, nor allowed to be part of his “chosen few”. Having “heard” from a third party will always lead to confusion. Mr Preller and the SAPS Sector Commander admitted to not attending the Sector meetings always. How will they be able to make a proper evaluation of Sector 1 and 2 prevention needs?
At the moment Richmond Hill crime prevention is back on track whilst Humewood SAPS still has it’s severely flawed CPF which maintains rubberstamp status. When will the SAPS realise that they should “Protect and Serve” instead of “Rule and Manipulate”?
Meanwhile three people are killed every day without being reported due to the distrust in our beloved SAPS – and our crime statistics continue to decline…..
Regards
Jan
