ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to give police more resources to fight crime.
Speaking at the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union’s (Popcru) 10th National Congress on Monday, 6 November, in Durban, KZN, Ramaphosa said the ANC government was working to build a capable criminal justice system though under difficult conditions.
He said tackling crime was about people’s well-being and sense of security.
“Our ANC government will, therefore, continue to expend the necessary human and other resources to ensure people are safe and feel safe,” he said.
He reminded delegates that in the State of the Nation Address in 2022, he announced that the government would embark on the recruitment and training of additional police members.
“In December last year, these new recruits graduated from various police academies. Ten thousand trainees will be recruited annually for the next two financial years, bringing the total number in the current three-year period to 30 000. Of these, close to 3 000 will be allocated to the SAPS detective services,” said Ramaphosa.
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He pointed out that the creation of a capable developmental state was fundamental to the transformation of society and to further improve the lives of the people.
“And integral to a developmental state is a capable criminal justice system that can effectively deal with crime and corruption,” he said.
He acknowledged that Mzansi still has some way to go before it has a satisfactory ratio between police members and the population.
He said Popcru has an important role in ensuring that South Africa is a safe place free of crime.
“The union and its members must be part of refining the country’s approach and philosophy to fighting crime," said Ramaphosa.
"The people of South Africa expect the members of Popcru, as with all members of the police and correctional services, to be fully committed and focused on combating crime."
