DEAR Editor,-
Reports of the censure of the police media apparatus are a blow to the fight against crime in KZN. One of the SAPS’ most important roles is to keep communities informed about crime statistics so that they can safeguard themselves and their families, as well as to prevent crime.
This is especially true in today’s ever-changing world of drug trafficking. Communities need to know the latest trends so that they can be on the lookout and inform police of such actions.
Yet, it seems that police crime intelligence gathering has been hamstrung as the provincial police commissioner and her ‘top brass’ fail to share information with the public. Instead, they want to shy away from taking responsibility for their actions and censure their own media statements for fear of exposing their blunders.
The people of KZN have the right to know about crime in their communities – and that includes both the successes and the failures when it comes to fighting this scourge. This is the only way that measures can be taken to prevent the same problems in the future.
The SAPS commissioner’s calls for a united front against crime will never happen if information is not shared with vital segments of the team.
DR RISHIGEN VIRANNA, MPL
DA KZN Spokesperson on Community Safety
