Men in blue lay down the law

SONA 2018

South Africans will feel much safer with all of government's plans to curb crime.

Government will be focusing on ensuring that police stations have resources to tackle crime.

“This will include personnel and other resources to restore capacity and experience at the level at which crime is most effectively combated,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa when delivering his State of the Nation Address (SoNA).

He said police stations are grappling with detective and vehicle shortages, resulting in low staff morale‚ which in turn cripples the police’s ability to adequately serve the community.

Government will implement the Community Policing Strategy.

This will be in line with gaining the trust of the community and to secure their full involvement in the fight against crime.

In addition to this will be the introduction of a Youth Crime Prevention Strategy will empower and support young people to be self-sufficient and become involved in crime fighting initiatives.

In recognising the critical role that NGOs and community-based organisation play in tackling poverty, inequality and related social problems, a Social Sector Summit will be convened during the course of this year.

Among other things, this Summit should seek to improve the relationship between the state and civil society and address the challenges that NGOs and CBOs face.

The President hopes these initiatives will help address the county’s crime challenge.

Fast facts

• The SAPS has establish street committees to assist in the fight against crime. This goes hand in hand with reviewing the Community Police Forum Policy. 
• Public order policing will be expanded, and R242 million in 2017/18 and R355.8 million in 2018/19, will be made available for this task. 
• A total of R2.5 billion has been allocated over the MTEF period to build, upgrade and maintain police stations. 
• The department plans to build 63 additional police stations over the period at an estimated cost of R588.3 million.