Parliament, Wednesday, 13 November 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Police has applauded the overall planned information and technology interventions in the fight against crime but is concerned about the absence of set implementation timelines, costings and details of how the South African Police Service (SAPS) will overcome the longstanding challenges with the State Information Technology Agency (SITA). The committee remains of the view that SITA is one of the major stumbling blocks for technological advancement within the SAPS environment.
“The reality is that SITA has had varied challenges in delivering technological platforms necessary to capacitate the SAPS to effectively incorporate technology into its crime-fighting initiatives. Without factoring these challenges into the environment, the plans will remain unimplementable, and the SAPS will not have integrated technological platforms to help fight crime,” said Mr Ian Cameron, the Chairperson of the committee.
The committee is also concerned that a number of platforms, including the automated vehicle location system, global emergency mobile communication, command and control systems, are not integrated, nor functioning optimally to enable the SAPS to effectively fight crime. “Integration of these platforms will ensure that the SAPS have capabilities that will be enabled to respond timeously to crimes and are able to detect incidents of crimes more efficiently,” Mr Cameron emphasised.
While the committee welcomed the intention to collaborate with local government and agencies, such as the South African National Roads Agency, to ensure integration of systems to enhance crime-fighting capabilities, the lack of tangible implementation deadlines limits the ability of the committee and provincial legislatures to ensure oversight and accountability. The committee has emphasised that collaborations on technological advances as a force multiplier cannot be delayed and that every effort must be invested to ensure the adoption of technology as a tool to fight crime.
Meanwhile, the committee has urged the SAPS to enhance communication around the SAPS mobile communication, which has been set up to enable the reporting of anonymous crime tip-offs with video uploads and safety information. “The fact that this mobile application is not known by an average South African points to weak communications within the SAPS on an application that can greatly improve information sharing between the SAPS and the public. In a country facing the scourge of criminality, such an application should be communicated to enhance information sharing,” Mr Cameron emphasised.
With regard to remotely piloted aircraft systems (drones), the committee acknowledged that the 60 police officers trained to operate these systems is commendable. However, it highlighted the need to expand these capabilities to ensure effective policing of densely populated and inaccessible areas, especially informal settlements.
Furthermore, the committee welcomed information that the SAPS has put out a request for information from service providers on the capabilities of body cameras for SAPS members. The 6th Parliament Portfolio Committee steadfastly argued for body cameras to ensure accountability and improve the safety of police officers. Body cameras could also prove central in reducing the many civil claims against the SAPS. The committee has requested periodic updates on the roll-out of technological advances within the crime-fighting environment.
Meanwhile, the committee welcomed progress in rolling out an integrated and online Firearms Control Management System (FCMS). The committee considers the paperless system necessary to ensure effective adjudication of applications and tracking of progress. While the committee noted progress thus far, it urged the SAPS to ensure that project timelines are adhered to and that the migration to the FCMS is achieved by the March 2026 timeline.
The committee has resolved to schedule a meeting for an update on findings it made during an oversight visit to SAPS Philippi Training Academy. The committee remains concerned about various corruption allegations at the academy.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR IAN CAMERON
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