CHAPTER 9: Conclusion

CHAPTER 9

Conclusion

SAPS` COSTLY RESTRUCTURING
A Review of Public Order Policing Capacity

 

 

Monograph No 138, October 2007

 

Bilkis Omar

This study has assessed whether the Crime Combating Units of the SAPS, with their existing capacity, can adequately manage crowds at events such as protest marches, as well as meeting the crowd management needs of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

 

In must be noted that in terms of respect for human rights, public order policing has improved since the advent of democracy. However, the size and distribution of the units, as well as their skills maintenance, has been severely eroded.

 

The main conclusion of this research is that the most recent restructuring of the SAPS CCUs in 2006 is the reason for the crisis in crowd management that the units are presently facing. A full consideration of the findings leads to a very strong recommendation that the SAPS management reassess the recent restructuring of the CCUs. The CCUs should be redeployed to their units in the previous seven policing areas. Given the dissolution of the area policing level, they should be made accountable to the provincial police office. Thus Gauteng would have seven fully capacitated Provincial Public Order Policing Units, primarily performing crowd management and, when required, assisting neighbouring stations in the combating of crime.

 

With regard to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the way in which the crowd management component of the police has coped with past international events in South Africa suggests that they will be able to cope with the World Cup. However there is a need to ensure that the units are sufficiently well resourced. The dynamics of large soccer events internationally present some unique problems, which the units will have to take into account. In addition, the FIFA World Cup is a likely target for additional protest marches, which will place additional demands on the capacity of the Crime Combating Units.