The colourful KwaZulu-Natal Community Safety MEC Bheki Cele is South Africa's new Police Commissioner. The announcement of his appointment was made by President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday. Cele will replace Jackie Selebi who has been on paid leave since last year while a criminal court case is pending against him.
Earlier this year President Zuma closed down the independent DoJ 'Scorpions' unit which had investigated and charged him for corruption in the controversial 'National Arms Deal' and created a new unit, the 'Hawks' which reports to the Police Commissioner.
Cele is one of Zuma's closest allies, dating back to 1984 when they went into exile for military training, which means that if the corruption cases are to be reopened against Mr Zuma Mr Cele will be the final voice in deciding on any course of action.
Hopefully Commissioner Cele will take a hard line on all crime.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
How to beat 'phone and Instant Message snoops
Reuters reports that 'Russia's most powerful business lobby moved to clampdown on Skype and its peers this week, telling lawmakers that theInternet phone services are a threat to Russian businesses and to nationalsecurity.'The lobby, closely associated with Putin's political party, cites concernsof 'a likely and uncontrolled fall in profits for the core telecomoperators,' as well as a fear that law enforcement agencies have thus farbeen unable to listen in on Skype conversations due to its 256-bitencryption.
This means that our home-grown snoops probably can't too.
This means that our home-grown snoops probably can't too.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Police to shut down ID number check facility
Police to shut down ID number check facility
We hear that the SA Police Service have decided to shut down the Criminal Record Center ID number check facility. If it’s true this will be another victory for criminals and government inefficiency.
The existing system is used by police in the field and by authorised private agencies to check if a person has a criminal record by just submitting their SA ID number, allowing almost instant detection of suspects - even if they are not physically present.
Now these records will only be released with fingerprints submitted electronically to the Automated Fingerprint Identification System. This is going to make the procedure more difficult and cumbersome locally and nearly impossible for persons overseas.
And the reason for this progress-reversing policy: our ID system is so corrupt and inept that it cannot be trusted… Thank You Department of Home Affairs!
We hear that the SA Police Service have decided to shut down the Criminal Record Center ID number check facility. If it’s true this will be another victory for criminals and government inefficiency.
The existing system is used by police in the field and by authorised private agencies to check if a person has a criminal record by just submitting their SA ID number, allowing almost instant detection of suspects - even if they are not physically present.
Now these records will only be released with fingerprints submitted electronically to the Automated Fingerprint Identification System. This is going to make the procedure more difficult and cumbersome locally and nearly impossible for persons overseas.
And the reason for this progress-reversing policy: our ID system is so corrupt and inept that it cannot be trusted… Thank You Department of Home Affairs!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Security for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Security for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
The South African Police Service have expressed satisfaction with the Confederations Cup after the World Cup curtain-raiser ended with no major breach of security. Petty theft formed most of the just 39 cases reported, deputy police commissioner Andre Pruis told journalists after the two week, four city/stadium event wrapped up.The Times reports that Pruis said the event’s joint security team is ‘satisfied that years of planning and preparations resulted in a tournament during which no major security breach occurred…we will build on lessons learned and expand on best practices to assist FIFA and the LOC in presenting the best World Cup ever in 2010.’
The South African Police Service have expressed satisfaction with the Confederations Cup after the World Cup curtain-raiser ended with no major breach of security. Petty theft formed most of the just 39 cases reported, deputy police commissioner Andre Pruis told journalists after the two week, four city/stadium event wrapped up.The Times reports that Pruis said the event’s joint security team is ‘satisfied that years of planning and preparations resulted in a tournament during which no major security breach occurred…we will build on lessons learned and expand on best practices to assist FIFA and the LOC in presenting the best World Cup ever in 2010.’
Sunday, July 19, 2009
No significant security breach during Confederation Cup
No major security breach during Confederation Cup
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Can we really be THAT bad?
Our own statistics tell us that South Africa has the highest peace-time murder and rape levels in the world.
So how come life here is so good?
Today is Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday and it's being celebrated around the world partly because he's the most recognised symbol of reconsiliation in our times.
But many of our people - black and white - live in fear of their lives because of a small but evil element.
In this blog I hope we can discss the issues that created not only our bad situation but look for solutions and hope.
In particular I want to give overseas visitors comfort that they are coming to a warm and safe country and give them tips that will make them less vulnerable to the few who have destroyed our reputation.
Andy Grudko
www.grudko.com
So how come life here is so good?
Today is Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday and it's being celebrated around the world partly because he's the most recognised symbol of reconsiliation in our times.
But many of our people - black and white - live in fear of their lives because of a small but evil element.
In this blog I hope we can discss the issues that created not only our bad situation but look for solutions and hope.
In particular I want to give overseas visitors comfort that they are coming to a warm and safe country and give them tips that will make them less vulnerable to the few who have destroyed our reputation.
Andy Grudko
www.grudko.com
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