The police, the first line of defense in combating crime have suffered the deprivations of ideology. In an attempt to restructure the police and make it conform to the ideology of the ANC/SACP/COSATU government. The government has either tampered with what it does not understand or it has deliberately sabotaged the police.

A moratorium on hiring of police staff. No new recruits and no replacement of staff either retired, resigned or given golden handshakes.

Many thousands of experienced motivated police officers left the police force and excepted golden handshakes. Depleting the police of the very expertise and qualified manpower it needed to operate efficiently.

Promotion of incompetents, the inexperience and unmotivated to positions way above their capability, soon ensured that others left. Leaving the police with all to few trained and competent officers. Police work suffered and cases are not prepared correctly resulting in criminals being released and cases being thrown out of court. Statements can not be taken because of illiteracy.

The number of police officers was reduced while other government departments grew and new ones created, the civil service increased in size but not the police.

The budget of the police was reduced to below what is needed for operating. Resulting in operating problems of shortages of every resource the police need to render a service to the public. 10,000 police vehicles need replacement. Many thousands need spares which can't be purchased due to lack of funds. Vehicles stand unused because tyres are needed and the petrol tanks are empty.

Crime can not be investigated. Districts and areas are no longer patrolled. People in desperate need of the police must wait hours before getting attention. Women in danger of being raped get to report the crime if they are lucky enough to survive. Many will contract HIV/aids and die.

Records are not kept or properly kept due to incompetence and illiteracy. Reports are in such a state that courts throw them out. Criminals can purchase the police docket or will be given the opportunity to escape at a price. Incompetence, inexperience and lack of personnel as well as resources hinder investigations to the point that only large or important crimes are investigated. Photographs can't be taken and finger print powder is a scarce resource.

Intelligence is not reported and gathered correctly and bicycle theft is just as likely to be classified as hi-jacking. The minister so embarrassed by this incompetence stops crime figures from being released. 3,000 police officers are now required to get the figures closer to being correct. They are now administrative and police duty to citizens is forgotten.

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