A number of organisations exist to fight crime. The metros and larger cities, like Johannesburg, eThekwini, Cape Town, Ekurhuleni and Mogale City, have their own metropolitan police forces. These forces are responsible for enforcing by-laws and traffic laws, and they can arrest criminals.
They work closely with the SAPS and run programmes, training and crime fighting campaigns together.
Under the Police Act, each SAPS police station must have a Community Policing Forum. But as these forums require public volunteers, not all stations have them.
Richard Dancer, the chief executive of the Parkview Community Policing Forum in northern Johannesburg, says the primary role of the CPF is “like an ombudsman; we observe the police and make sure they are doing the right thing”.
CPFs raise funds for the station, help with training of officers and maintenance. They also boost public awareness and bolster public confidence in the SAPS. Many CPFs also run blockwatch programmes, using their cars and petrol to drive the police on patrols around their neighbourhoods. They also rally domestic workers, ward councillors, residents’ associations and security companies.
Eblockwatch has about 51 000 members countrywide, and relies on public participation.
The founder, Andre Snyman, says registered members can contact Eblockwatch when they, friends or family are in trouble, using a pre-set cellphone alert. Mass cellphone messages are sent out to rally other members in the area, and the headoffice in Johannesburg mobilises the relevant authorities.
Members can also submit information about crime on the website, which helps to build incident maps. A Travel Buddy system is targeted at tourists, which also uses cellphone technology.
Business Against Crime (BAC) is a national organisation funded and run by industry bodies. It was established in 1996 to work directly with government structures, using business minds and skills to improve law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
Labane Maluleke, the marketing and donor officer, explained that BAC set up the Anti-Crime Leadership Forum in 2006. It comprises six government ministers – of Safety and Security, Defence, Justice, Correctional Services and Home Affairs, as well as the head of the National Prosecuting Authority – and eight leading businessmen.
The forum reports directly to the president and runs various programmes focusing on mobilising society, reducing violent organised crime, improving the criminal justice system and enhancing delivery effectiveness.
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