36/1/4/1(2021)
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR ORAL REPLY QUESTION 122
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 8 JUNE 2021 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 21-2021)
122. Ms S Shaikh (Limpopo: ANC) to ask the Minister of Police:
(1) Whether, with reference to the increase in the number of police officers who
have been killed in the past few months, any plans are in place to address this situation as a priority focus area; if not, why not; if so, (a) what plans and (b) what are the further relevant details;
(2) whether his department has any strategies to address this unacceptable
occurrence; if not, why not; if so, (a) what strategies and (b) what are the further relevant details?
C0439E
REPLY:
(1) The number of South African Police Service (SAPS) members killed, on and off duty, in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 financial years, is reflected in the table below:
|
UNNATURAL |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
||||
|
ON DUTY |
OFF DUTY |
TOTAL |
ON DUTY |
OFF DUTY |
TOTAL |
|
|
MURDERS |
35 |
42 |
77 |
31 |
50 |
81 |
The statistics for the current financial year, 2021/2022, have not been verified and released yet, however, from 1 April 2021 to 31 May 2021 a total of 17 police members (four on duty and 13 off duty) have been killed. In the previous financial year 2020/2021, the number of police members killed, from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2020, was six (four on duty and two off duty).
(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)
The amended Police Safety Strategy and Implementation Plan was approved by the National Commissioner, on 23 March 2021 and it aims to intensify and accelerate efforts to address attacks, unnatural deaths and death as a result of a National Pandemic, such as COVID-19, of SAPS employees.
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create awareness amongst SAPS members on the following issues, are also distributed on a regular basis:
Suicide.
Trauma.
Depression.
Substance abuse.
Relationships.
Financial problems.
Members are urged to proactively take responsibility for their personal health and wellness. Commanders are urged to proactively pay attention to the wellbeing of their members.
A communication and marketing strategy was developed, to create awareness, internally and externally. The following actions were undertaken:
· Internally:
- Internal poster campaign.
- Police safety hints were distributed to all email users.
- Salary advice message with safety hints.
- Messages are forwarded via SAPS electronic media and SAPS Journal encouraging members to take care of their wellbeing, in order to be professional and productive members.
· Externally:
- An advert building up to the Commemoration Day this year and post Commemoration Day.
On site assessments are conducted to identify the circumstances and conditions, under which the members were killed, on duty. SAPS employees are then sensitised to take preventive measures when performing their duties. These announcements are emphasised during visits to stations and units. Members are visited during parades and operational duties to assess the wearing of protective gear and sensitise members, regarding personal safety. Several national circulars were distributed to emphasise the compulsory wearing of bulletproof vests by all members.
A national prayer day and provincial prayer days take place, annually, to enhance the safety of all members and to involve the community, as a build-up to the National Commemoration Day. The month of September was declared Police Safety Month and all measures, aimed at the prevention of police killings are enhanced, such as safety workshops, including enhancing operational readiness and the psychological wellbeing of members.
SAPS members are required to attend fitness assessments to support their physical and psychological wellbeing and refresher courses are undertaken to reskill them in dealing with different situations they may encounter whilst on duty.
Issued by Parliament, 18 June 2021
