DA Victims of Crime

The ANC has failed on crime

Since coming to power in 1994 the ANC has failed to solve an escalating crime problem. In both its 1994 and 1999 election manifestos the ANC failed to identify the key areas and issues, or to provide comprehensive and effective solutions. Those promises that the ANC did make, have not been met.

In 2000 the ANC placed a moratorium on crime statistics, however, this has failed to conceal the fact that, almost across the board, crime has increased since 1994. Between 1994 and 2000, the 20 most serious crimes in South Africa, measured on a per capita basis, increased by 9 %. Violent crime increased at a greater rate than any other category - 33 % of crimes in SA are violent

The ANC has failed the SAPS

For 10 years the ANC has ignored the conditions and requirements of the South African Police Service. Under an ANC government the SAPS remains understaffed and under-resourced. It is in no condition to effectively tackle a national crisis such as crime.

Since 1994 the size of the SAPS has shrunk, despite crime increasing. In 1995, the SAPS employed 140 000 officers and civilians; by early 2001 this had declined to 102 000.

Of those police officers in service, there simply aren't enough officers on the street fighting crime. The sergeant/constable ratio in the SAPS was nearly 4:1 in 2002, and that of inspectors to constables, 5.5:1. Sergeants and constables make up only one third of SAPS personnel. The majority of officers are stuck in administrative jobs.

The DA Proposes A 5-Step Plan To Improve the SAPS

The Democratic Alliance has a set of comprehensive and effective solutions to crime. These revolve around strengthening and increasing the size of the South African Police Service. Only by making the police force work properly can we effectively fight crime.

(1) There must be 150 000 police officers on the street

The DA proposes that, starting in 2004, 36 000 more police officers would be recruited, bring the number of police officers on the street to 150 000.

The DA's proposal is to recruit and train 12 000 entry-level constables each year for three years. The total cost will be R4,5 billion over three years. A real increase of approximately 4 percent in the current Safety and Security budget will be necessary.

The ANC's 2004 manifesto has adopted the DA's position - which is a significant success for the DA - however, the ANC's proposal falls short in a number of crucial respects

The ANC fails to identify a time period. The DA wants 36 000 new police officers in 3 years, according to the ANC manifesto, it wants them in 5.
The ANC fails to explain how it will budget for the extra policeman. The DA has a well thought out budget that requires only a 4% increase in safety and security spending.
The ANC fails to explain whether the extra officers will be administrative staff or policemen on the street. The DA has proposed that all 36 000 extra policemen be used to fight crime in those areas worst affected.

(2) Police officers must be properly trained

The SAPS must be turned into a worthwhile professional career option by linking employment to material incentives. Career advancement and professional development through specialised courses and further training will result in a committed and skilled police service

(3) Police officers must be properly equipped

Officers cannot be expected to perform their jobs adequately if they do not have the correct equipment. These include essential items such as bullet proof vests, radios, police cars and the conditions of the police stations themselves.

(4) There must be a service contract

The DA has proposed that performance be put first by concluding performance-based contracts at all levels, from the National Commissioner to station commissioner.

(5) There must be accountability

There should be material incentives in place for those who perform, and termination for those who do not. It is essential that good street cops be rewarded, and that they not be required to become supervisors and managers in order to improve their salaries and status.

Mismanagement and a lack of political will have left the SAPS unable to effectively tackle crime. The DA is committed to winning the war against crime with a well-trained, well-equipped, non-partisan and community-orientated police service.

The DA is serious about fighting crime and improving the conditions of the SAPS. It has a comprehensive crime policy that provides numerous different solutions to a problem that affects all South Africans.

Where the ANC has sidelined crime and ignored the SAPS, the DA has effective solutions that work.