Wed Jul 1, 2009

CAPE TOWN (AFP) – South Africa will review the closure of specialised police units while roping in the youth to strengthen the fight against high levels of crime, the police minister said Wednesday.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa told parliament that the decision to close down hundreds of units specialising in family violence, child abuse, drugs and sexual offences in recent years will be reviewed.

"Some of this knowledge and experience can only be acquired through concerted and focused knowledge acquired over time. We need to consider the reintroduction of some these specialized units such as the child protection unit and sexual offences unit," he told parliament.

South Africa's struggles with one of the world's highest crime rates, with some 50 people murdered daily, and announced plans to increase police personnel from 183,180 to 204,860 over the next three years.

He also plans to pour 200 million rand (18.8 million euros / 25.8 million dollars) over the next three years into improving the capability of forensics laboratories.

"The scourge of serious and violent crime remains one of the major concerns of government and all the people of our land," Mthethwa said.

"The kind of violence that frequently accompanies business and house robberies, as well as car hijackings, can only be committed by people who have lost all sense of their humanity."

He said visible policing, street committees and community policing forums would be strengthened, with unemployed youth to assist in combating street robberies which constitute 70-80 percent of crime figures.

"The youth of our country are our present and future and it is crucially important that they engage in the fight against crime."

Opposition Democratic Alliance lawmaker Dianne Kohler-Barnard slammed the idea, saying government should focus on improving the training of police recruits.

"There really is no need to proffer teenagers as cannon fodder," she said.

Mthethwa also announced a new police commissioner would be appointed in a month as the current one, Jackie Selebi, remains suspended facing graft charges.

Kohler-Barnard said a decision to withhold crime statistics meant current figures were 18 month out of date.

"Two years ago I knew with certainty that fifty-two of us were being murdered every day, 365 days a year. Today I have no idea, is it 60 a day, 100 perhaps?" she asked.