Questions must be raised asked about South Africa's security readiness for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after the unexpected resignation of security manager Wally Rhoode.
Rhoode, an Umkhonto weSizwe ('Spear Of The Nation' - the ANC insurgents during the apartheid era) veteran and former head of security at the National Prosecuting Authority, left on 1 August to pursue family business interests.
But the obvious question it is: Did he quit before he was fired after the fiasco with the appointment of security providers for the Confederations Cup in June?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Increase in shopping centre robberies
Cowardly violent criminals between Pretoria and Johannesburg have targeted at least eight malls during shopping hours this week alone leaving three people dead, eight injured and twelve suspects arrested.
The Consumer Goods Council is investigating why violent robberies increase between July and August every year.The Council’s Michael Broughton says “This year’s July comes out at 29, so we expecting a bad August as well.” Malls in Centurion, Midrand, Gallor Manor, Killarney, Alberton, Johannesburg south, Lenasia and Pretoria north have seen violent robberies in just the last week.
Business Against Crime has urged customers not to panic. Security patrols have been intensified in various shopping centres across the country and the SAPS have agreed to increase their focus on protection of shopping centres.
The Consumer Goods Council is investigating why violent robberies increase between July and August every year.The Council’s Michael Broughton says “This year’s July comes out at 29, so we expecting a bad August as well.” Malls in Centurion, Midrand, Gallor Manor, Killarney, Alberton, Johannesburg south, Lenasia and Pretoria north have seen violent robberies in just the last week.
Business Against Crime has urged customers not to panic. Security patrols have been intensified in various shopping centres across the country and the SAPS have agreed to increase their focus on protection of shopping centres.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Is Knowledge A Right Or A Privilege?
South Africa's new Police Commissioner, Bheki Cele, stated this week that he would support reintroducing a moratorium on the release of crime statistics, which until 1999 were published quarterly but at present are only released annually although the police compile the figures monthly. Current legislation does not speak directly to the availability of crime statistics and for the past decade the on-off nature of their release has been a matter of policy. In 1997 the then Minister of Safety and Security, Sydney Mufamadi, appointed a ministerial committee of inquiry to look into the gathering of crime statistics.
The committee found problems relating to: the recording of exact crime locations; crime classification (which has been resolved by the introductionof a new system in about 2002); and updating police data with the outcome of the case once it had been through the court system. Importantly, the committee found the routine and widespread public scepticism about crime levels were UNFOUNDED, and it suggested informationbe released more regularly. A current on-line survey by the DA shows that 71% of respondents (sample size not given) would like to see monthly statistics. Our high crime rate is rightly a source of shame for the country and is often brought up in discussions about the 2010 FIFA World Cup.Most people in SA accept that they have to protect themselves. To do so we can chose from a wide range of security products and services, with private security apart of many households' budgets and essential for any business. But generally we do not know which suburbs are suffering what types of crimes, often resulting in inaccurate and alarmist 'urban legends'. A look at the most recent official statistics show a drop in many areas of crime (seehttp://www.saps.gov.za, under documents). Property crimes, such as theft of motor vehicles or house-breakings often follow patterns and knowledge of these trends may help the public to protect themselves and be more observant.
Local newspapers, especially those available or summarised on-line can increase public awareness, as does the SAPS's own weekly 'PoliceFile' TV program. However, residents who wish to follow crime trends can often obtain exact monthly and year-on-year statistics from their local station by attending their Community Policing Forum meetings, although this is at the discretion of the Station Commissioner.
The committee found problems relating to: the recording of exact crime locations; crime classification (which has been resolved by the introductionof a new system in about 2002); and updating police data with the outcome of the case once it had been through the court system. Importantly, the committee found the routine and widespread public scepticism about crime levels were UNFOUNDED, and it suggested informationbe released more regularly. A current on-line survey by the DA shows that 71% of respondents (sample size not given) would like to see monthly statistics. Our high crime rate is rightly a source of shame for the country and is often brought up in discussions about the 2010 FIFA World Cup.Most people in SA accept that they have to protect themselves. To do so we can chose from a wide range of security products and services, with private security apart of many households' budgets and essential for any business. But generally we do not know which suburbs are suffering what types of crimes, often resulting in inaccurate and alarmist 'urban legends'. A look at the most recent official statistics show a drop in many areas of crime (seehttp://www.saps.gov.za, under documents). Property crimes, such as theft of motor vehicles or house-breakings often follow patterns and knowledge of these trends may help the public to protect themselves and be more observant.
Local newspapers, especially those available or summarised on-line can increase public awareness, as does the SAPS's own weekly 'PoliceFile' TV program. However, residents who wish to follow crime trends can often obtain exact monthly and year-on-year statistics from their local station by attending their Community Policing Forum meetings, although this is at the discretion of the Station Commissioner.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Stopped by a crooked cop?
Save this number to your speed dial : 0822360003. This is a 'voice to email number'. Try it out - it's free. What it does is record your conversation with the cops without them knowing. As you are being stopped, hit your speed dial put your phone in your top pocket or somewhere close to your window. When asked for 'cool drink money' or anther bribe string him along. Do not give him a cent. Ask him a few questions which will identify him. Say, "Is that your car you're driving, the RTY 245 GP Toyota etc. Then ask him if he always works at Main and Witkoppen. Ask him for his name and service number, ask him why he is not wearing his name tab, etc. This will be recorded and it will be sent to eblockwatch's server. The email will be sent to you if you are registered on www.eblockwatch.co.za network. All this is free. No hidden costs in the calls, just normal cellphone rates.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
