Police Minister advocates for ‘patrollers’ to help tackle crime 

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 20 – Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia unveiled South Africa’s third-quarter crime statistics, highlighting a renewed focus on community policing as a critical strategy to combat crime.

While the latest figures show a decrease in violent crime categories, including an 8.7% drop in murders, Cachalia stressed that the fight against crime requires active community involvement.

“To enhance public safety, we must empower communities to take part in crime prevention,” Cachalia stated during a press conference on Friday.

He announced plans to launch a national community-patroller programme, which will train local residents to assist law enforcement without taking on policing functions.

This initiative aims to create a network of community members who can report suspicious activities and foster a safer environment in their neighborhoods.

Cachalia noted that total contact crime, which includes violent offenses, decreased by 6.7% this quarter, equating to 12,682 fewer cases reported compared to the same period last year.

Despite these positive trends, he acknowledged that many areas still face significant challenges, particularly with gang violence in the Eastern and Western Cape. “While we have seen reductions in some provinces, the reality is that crime remains unacceptably high in others,” he said.

In addressing the alarming rise in police fatalities, with nearly 80% of the 23 officers killed being off-duty, Cachalia reiterated the importance of collaboration between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and local communities.

“We must work together to create a safer environment for both citizens and our police officers,” he added.

As part of a broader strategy to tackle organised crime and gender-based violence, Cachalia emphasised the need for a unified approach that includes various government sectors and community organisations.

“When our democracy was founded, there was a robust commitment to community policing. However, it seems this initiative has lost some of its direction and momentum. We must reinvigorate efforts to engage communities nationwide through Community Policing Forums, patroller programmes, and neighbourhood watches. A one-size-fits-all strategy is not the solution,” said Cachalia.

He concluded with a call for collective action, stating, “By adopting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, we can make South Africa a safer place.”