Militarization is a narrow mechanism to curb crime

Senior Researcher argues Militarization cannot be a long time-term solution to crime

POPCRU has noted the well thought article written in the Mail & Guardian Comment and Analysis, June 18 2010 titled "Warriors of the peace" by Gwinyayi Dzinesa has struck the nail on the head.

He has characterized the dangerous terrain of imposing militarization of the police, in which in countries such as Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, as few examples, where the rule by fist has not yielded the required results - to scale down the killings and/or criminality. While the policies of shoot to kill were implemented, he further continues to say "they were greeted with popular discontent on the basis that many innocent people were killed by the police in crossfire".

Our contention is that basic human rights are fundamental rights worthy of enhancement and protection, and we are as such committed to the creation and development of a security establishment, which is the just expression of the will of the people, a system which will reflect co-operation between our members and the community in an effort to truly serve, and protect all members of our society.

We regard the implementation of the military rank system as an imposition of a policy which is in contrast with policies of the African National Congress. We further view this kind of system as a way of reversing the already started process of transforming the South African Police Service from the culture of brutalizing the community to the one that offers safety and security and to the citizens of South Africa as a whole.

The military system comes with a culture that previously had become entrenched within the apartheid police leading to little action being taken against police members who had committed acts of violence and torture against members of the public.

The level of crime in our country is unacceptable. There is a need to overhaul the criminal justice system to ensure that we drastically reduce the levels of crime and corruption is stamped out in our country.

However, militarization cannot be a long term solution to this challenge and Mr. Dzineza argues that it can't be. Advocates of the new policy say it should not be viewed as a "shoot to kill" measure but as one that seeks to "shoot-to-protect" law abiding citizens. It is our view that retraining the police officers to make split second decision on the use of maximum power in any situation should be enhanced rather than resorting to rubber bullets and water cannon for any situation.

Of late, we saw the FIFA 2010 World Cup striking security officer becoming the latest victims of this narrow intervention. One size fits all cannot be working! It is unthinkable to think our people will be threatened by rubber bullets and be afraid to raise their issues. We welcome the latest decisive investigations that led to the speedy application of justice meant for tourists and it will be imprudent not to sustain such interventions beyond the World Cup. Our own people will be up in arms to demand the same treatment of being efficient, effective and decisive to conclude investigations and pass judgment on the perpetrators as was with the case of thugs who robbed journalist and the English fan who trespassed in the English Squad dressing rooms in Cape Town.

We agree with Mr Dzinesa that "the reality is that without the cooperation of local communities, police are unlikely to be able to investigate and stem crime effectively". Perhaps, Government must fully explore the implementation of street committees as peoples' centres of community activism that should assist our police officers to channel community issues of safety and security.

Humanization of people should be upheld by our modern democracy and we should not allow policy propositions that undermine the intelligence of the masses by taking short cuts to address deep social problems of inequalities, poverty and underdevelopment that are a real threat to our democracy and freedom.

South Africa is an International player on issues of Regional stability matters at SADC. Indeed the kind of solidarity interventions we offer must be informed by a respect for human rights and due regard to the sovereignty of these countries and a dire need to preserve mankind. But what is currently happening in other countries ruled by "Generals" should be an eye-opener that the military culture is characterized by assassinations, coups and anarchy.

Like in the words of the former and first democratic President, Dr Nelson Mandela "never should our country be subjected to domination of one person by another and of course violence by the police on its own people". And that starts with the total rejection of militarization.

Lastly, it is prudent of us all to pay close attention to our neighbour - Swaziland and observe the dangers that militarization can pose to our countries in SADC and the whole continent if power to decide to beat, kill and injure may be located in one person, a General in this instance and its devastating impact to the citizenry.

We have not risen to the occasion to condemn what the Swaziland Royal Police are doing to its people. Any police service and/or army if it fails to be a peoples' police and/or army, have lost the moral ground because it will always be swayed to inflict pain the majority of the basis of narrow squabbles that does not build national unity.

Brutality by the state should be condemned, irrespective of where it is committed -  whether by the powerful west or our African Presidents!

Statement issued by Norman Mampane. POPCRU National Spokesperson, June 21 2010

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