Violent protests hamper fight against crime: Radebe

(Image: GCIS)

A particular challenge being experienced in the fight against crime is the continuing violent protests that have escalated in the past two years across various sectors, requiring the redeployment of critical resources to those areas.

"This detracts from the optimal use of police and other criminal justice system staff for normal crime fighting and administration of justice processes," Radebe said at a Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster media briefing.

Last week, government condemned the looting of shops belonging to informal traders and the destructive behaviour of protestors following a Cape Town march. The protest over housing and land took a turn for the worse when groups of protestors broke away from the main crowd and engaged in criminal activities.

For the past two weeks, the Westonaria Local Municipality in Gauteng has been gripped by protest action, with government saying it is working to stabilise the municipality, especially Bekkersdal, following the recent service delivery protests.

(Image: Sekwanele 2, via Wikimedia Commons)

Today, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Lechesa Tsenoli is scheduled to visit Bekkersdal, where he will participate in talks between the Bekkersdal residents' task team and the Westonaria Local Municipality on a number of issues, including effective and efficient service delivery.

Radebe said the measures that have been implemented to deal with violent protests include the monitoring of the situation countrywide on a daily basis, as well as taking action against any illegal behaviour in violent protests.

Other measures include prioritising investigations through the Detective Division and ensuring speedy trial readiness for all criminal cases stemming from violent protests. Radebe said with an additional 5 000 new intake members, Public Order Police (POP) capacity and training has been enhanced.