Police Committee to assess implementation of SAPS interventions to quell violence and looting in Gauteng

20 July 2021

The Portfolio Committee on Police will tomorrow, Wednesday 21 July 2021 undertake an oversight visit to Gauteng to assess the effectiveness and impact of the deployment plan of the South African Police Service (SAPS) which is executed to quell the violence, looting and distraction of property in the province.

The committee together with the Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD) undertook a joint oversight to KwaZulu-Natal and it was informed that there is enhanced cooperation between the SAPS and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). While the committee appreciated the cooperation, it still raised concerns regarding the impact the violence, looting and destruction of property has had on the economy of the country.

“Gauteng is both the economic hub and seat of the executive arm of the South African state, and its security is at the heart of the country’s economic success. It is thus critical for the committee to ensure that the planned interventions by the SAPS are effectively implemented.

The committee’s visit is aimed at achieving its oversight mandate as it is clearly enshrined in the Constitution,” said Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, the Chairperson of the committee.

The committee will also ascertain lessons learnt from the violence that occurred and that had far reaching and unbearable consequences, to ensure that it doesn’t reoccur in future.

The committee will visit various sites that were affected by the violence and looting, including Jabulani Mall, Maponya Mall and Protea Glen Mall. Furthermore, the committee will interact with the SAPS leadership on their assessment of the police’s response to the violence and looting and also assess the effectiveness and impact of the intervention by both SAPS and SANDF on the violence and looting. 

The committee will also interact with the community policing forums to receive a briefing from them on their working relationship with the SAPS in responding to the violence and looting.

Issued by Malatswa Molepo, Media Officer, Parliamentary Communication Services, 20 July 2021