TRC Final Report

Volume 5

Chapter 8

Subsection 20

Public order policing

71 Undue use of force by security forces in controlling crowds was one of the most significant causes of deaths and injuries reported to the Commission. To address this issue, the Commission recommends that:

ALL MEMBERS OF THE SAPS DEALING WITH PUBLIC ORDER INCIDENTS RECEIVE THE REQUIRED TRAINING, AND THAT TRAINING STANDARDS WITH REGARD TO THE POLICING OF CROWDS BE MAINTAINED AT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS IN FUTURE. IMPROVED TRAINING WILL LEAD TO GREATER CONFIDENCE ON THE PART OF THOSE POLICING CROWDS AND GATHERINGS, WHICH SHOULD RESULT IN LESS RELIANCE ON FORCE.

PUBLIC ORDER POLICING BE DECENTRALISED AND INTEGRATED INTO THE NORMAL STRUCTURES OF THE SAPS (AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE NEW POLICY), AND THAT THE TENDENCY TO CENTRALISE AND MILITARISE THIS FUNCTION BE AVOIDED IN FUTURE.

PUBLIC EDUCATION (AND TRAINING OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES) WITH REGARD TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGULATION OF GATHERINGS ACT, CONCERNING RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF GATHERINGS, BE CONTINUED AND EXPANDED, ESPECIALLY FOR ELECTIONS, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND OTHER REGULAR PUBLIC EVENTS.

ANY PERSON OR PARTY WHO CONTRAVENES THE REGULATION OF GATHERINGS ACT BE PROSECUTED TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEW APPROACH.

THE POLICE ESTABLISH AN INSPECTORATE, EITHER INTERNALLY OR WITHIN THE SECRETARIAT FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY, AS WELL AS AT PROVINCIAL LEVEL, TO CHECK ADHERENCE TO NEW NATIONAL STANDARDS, AND TO INVESTIGATE THE POLICING OF PARTICULAR INCIDENTS.

THE POLICE BE ISSUED WITH NEW EQUIPMENT AND APPAREL TO IMPROVE THEIR SAFETY AND PROTECTION – THE MORE PROTECTED THE POLICE OFFICIALS FEEL, THE LESS LIKELY THEY ARE TO USE FORCE OR ACT AGGRESSIVELY.

THE SAPS ENHANCE INTERNAL PROCEDURES TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE STORAGE AND USE OF WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION.

POST-INCIDENT INVESTIGATION BECOME STANDARD PROCEDURE IN ALL CASES WHERE FORCE WAS USED.

THE SAPS CREATE, EQUIP AND TRAIN CAMERA TEAMS TO FILM EVERY INCIDENT WHERE THE POLICE ARE DEPLOYED FOR CROWD MANAGEMENT. THIS WOULD BE A USEFUL DEVICE FOR IMPROVED ACCOUNTABILITY AS WELL AS FOR DEBRIEFING AND TRAINING OF THE POLICE OFFICIALS THEMSELVES.

THE LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE CARRYING OF WEAPONS IN CROWDS SHOULD BE FULLY ENFORCED AT ALL TIMES.

THE PUBLIC ORDER POLICING COMPONENT OF THE SAPS BE ENCOURAGED TO IMPLEMENT A MEANINGFUL AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STRATEGY TO IMPROVE REPRESENTIVITY AT SENIOR LEVELS.

CASE STUDIES OF PAST INCIDENTS OF BAD PRACTICE BY THE FORMER SAP AND HOMELAND POLICE IN THE POLICING OF GATHERINGS BE USED IN TRAINING.