FROM THE MINISTER

The end of the year is always a time for reflection – looking back at the past year to take stock of what has been achieved and looking at the road ahead to plan on how those areas of concern are addressed to overcome challenges.

More than anything the year that is ending has been a time of achievements and it is important from the outset to record my personal appreciation of combined efforts at all levels of the work the police have been doing.

Crime levels, though still high, are decreasing. That comes from concerted efforts of an organised police management and dedicated operational staff. Over the last three years we have made telling blows on criminality.

This does not mean that all concerns have been addressed. What it does mean is that we can stand up and say we have made great strides.

But as we congratulate ourselves on the dents we have struck against crime, we realise that criminals when hit somewhere will change tactics and strike elsewhere. A clear example of this is how they have moved from cash-in-transit heists to major retail outlets in malls in Gauteng.

This has taken everybody by surprise but the police are now ready to show they will be equal to any task and have already made some telling blows.

But looking at the year we are ending means we can look back at some outstanding milestones for the South African Police Service.

Early in the year we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of SAPS – a day that will always stand out in the annals of the service.

We have continued to improve infrastructure by providing new police stations, more vehicles which means the excuse of having no vehicles to attend to calls is a thing of the past and improved salaries to ensure that we move towards better remuneration over the next few years.

We have also continued to increase the number of members to ensure better service delivery based on the most
reasonable number of members against the population.

May I also acknowledge my appreciation at the large numbers of members who have stayed in the service through the hardest of time.

As we reflect on the past year we also need to place on record the continuing trend of losing members through callous work by criminals who kill and maim them. Close to this is the incidence of corruption and fraud within the service.

Mechanisms already in place for the retention of scarce skills within the service should be given impetus in the New Year for two reasons, namely:-

• to ensure that what we spend on equipping members is not lost to the private sector, and
• to have a strong base for developing more multi-skilled members within the service.

Linked to the above should be our performance management systems intended to improve accountability and to monitor and assess employee performance regularly to unearth the best material for special responsibilities.

May I also take this opportunity to wish all members and their families a happy Christmas and more commitment to the tasks at hand in the New Year.

Lo Tshwareng Thata!!!!!!

Minister Charles Nqakula