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| About SA > Safety Security & Defence |
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Introduction
The Department of Safety and Security has set four key strategic priorities for the period from 2002 to 2005. These are:
combating organised crime, specifically drugs, firearms, vehicle theft and hijacking;corrupt police officials and organised commercial crime
reducing levels of serious and violent crime
fighting crimes against women and children
improving service delivery at police stations
The fight against crime
By April 2003, the South African Police Service (SAPS) had 132 121 employees. It planned to enlist 9 550 entry-level constables and 4 010 civilians in the 2003/2004 financial year.
Reducing crime and enhancing stability
During the period 1996 to 2003 there has been an overall decline in the number of crimes relating to murder (down 30.7%), vehicle hijacking (down 33.7%) and banking (down 52.2%).
Crime Intelligence
During 2002, about 6,758 individuals involved in drug related offences were arrested, and illicit substances worth R330 million seized. By February 2004, there were 39 undercover operations registered at Crime Intelligence.
Automated Fingerprint Information System
The Automated Fingerprint Information System (AFIS) became operational in 35 decentralised Local Criminal Record Centres in September 2002. The automation of the process has contributed towards an increase in accuracy, productivity and service delivery. Faster response times lead to more previous-conviction reports being produced. For a period of 35 days in 2001, it was only possible to produce 163 369 previous-conviction reports. However, since the introduction of the AFIS, it has become possible to produce 293 386 previous-conviction reports for the same period. The Criminal Record Centre has also experienced an increase in the identification of scene-of-crime fingerprints. 3 481 more identifications of scene-of-crime fingerprints were made in 2002 than in 2001.
Community involvement
In 2002, 70,000 people volunteered to work at local police stations. A sector policing plan which allows communities to become involved in smaller policing areas will be phased in at 1 139 police stations. By February 2004, sector policing had been fully implemented in 943 of the 5 756 sectors.
Building for security
Community Safety Centres bring all relevant departments under one roof, including the SAPS and the departments of Justice, Correctional Services, Health and Social Development. The focus is on deep rural and informal settlements. Such Centres have been built in five provinces and, by mid-2003, were being constructed in another three.
In 2002, a three-year plan was developed to provide victim-friendly facilities for handling violent crimes such as rape and domestic abuse. By mid-2003, such facilities had been established at 130 stations.
Defence
The mission of the Department of Defence is to defend and protect South Africa, its territorial integrity and its people. The Department of Defence, under the auspices of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, participates in a variety of initiatives to secure peace and stability on the continent. In addition to military matters, the Department of Defence is involved in search-and-rescue operations, hydrography and securing national key points.
South African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is an all-volunteer force consisting of a Regular Force core and a Reserve Force. SANDF staff has been deployed as military liaison officers in Uganda, in support of the United Nations (UN) Mission for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the UN and African Union Missions for Ethiopia and Eritrea. Some 160 specialised members of the SANDF are stationed across the DRC, as are 1 300 members in the east of that country. Seven hundred South African soldiers are in Burundi to provide protection to politicians returning from exile. This commitment will rise to 1 600 members.
Requirement of main equipment
The first phase of a Ground-Based Defence System was contracted for delivery from 2004 to 2006. Rapid-deployment logistical vehicles for both Para-forces and Special-forces were delivered at the end of 2002. By November 2003, the first three South African Navy valour-class patrol corvettes were officially named and launched. South Africa is also acquiring three types of 209 submarines from Germany. The National Conventional Arms Control Committee oversees policy and sets control mechanisms for the South African arms trade.
Armaments Corporation of South Africa
The primary function of the Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor) is to acquire defence products and services for the SANDF, and to co-manage, together with the Department of Defence, the development of technologies for future weapon systems and products. Armscor also manages the disposal of excess, forfeited, redundant or surplus defence material for the SANDF and subsidiary companies, which directly support defence technology and acquisition strategies. Armscor provides the Department with tender board functions, project security and arms-control compliance assurance.
Denel Group of South Africa
Denel is a profit-driven company wholly owned by the State. Fifty-one percent of its airmotive division, however, is owned by France’s Turbomeca. Denel is recognised as a world leader in artillery systems, the group employs 10 500 people. Through offset deals, Denel supplies aero structures for Gripen and Hawk aircraft to BAE Systems and Saab. It has started licensed manufacturing of the Agusta A119 Koala helicopters for AgustaWestland and provides parts to the Boeing Company.
Intelligence services
There are two civilian intelligence structures: the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the South African Secret Service (SASS). The NIA’s mission is to provide the Government with domestic intelligence and counter-intelligence. This work includes monitoring local support of international terrorist groups, as well as domestic terrorism. The SASS is South Africa’s foreign-intelligence capacity. Executive control is exercised by a civilian Ministry and a Cabinet committee.
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