Action Society has reached out to the new minister of police, Senzo Mchunu, to express our desire to meet and build a collaborative relationship that will allow us to address the most pressing safety issues in South Africa.
“We want to congratulate Mr. Mchunu on his election to this crucial position,” said Action Society spokesperson Juanita du Preez. “Organisations like Action Society work with the victims of crime every day and would like to share our insights and concerns with the minister. We must have an open and honest discussion regarding the issues that are currently plaguing the police and, in turn, affecting vulnerable South Africans. We are committed to working with him to develop and implement solutions to enhance public safety, restore trust in law enforcement, and ensure justice for all South Africans.”
Corruption and mismanagement within the police are of primary concern to Action Society. These were significant challenges during the tenure of the previous minister, Bheki Cele. The consequences of such high levels of corruption are dire: rampant crime and some of the highest crime rates globally. The erosion of public trust in law enforcement has allowed criminal elements to act with impunity, exacerbating the sense of insecurity among South African citizens.
Action Society proposes the following measures to address these issues.
- Establishment of an Independent Anti-Corruption Unit within the SAPS to investigate and prosecute corrupt activities within SAPS, ensuring accountability at all levels.
- Strengthening Internal Oversight Mechanisms by implementing rigorous internal audit and compliance processes to detect and prevent corruption.
- Enhanced Whistleblower Protection to encourage transparency by protecting those who report corrupt practices from retaliation.
- Regular Public Reporting by instituting regular public disclosures of corruption cases and the measures taken to address them to rebuild public trust.
“Minister Mchunu’s leadership presents an opportunity for a fresh start and meaningful change within the SAPS. We look forward to meeting with the minister to establish a fruitful working relationship,” concluded Du Preez.
