The SAPS in KZN are in urgent need of resources including their own shooting range. Picture: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
Image: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
THE police in KwaZulu-Natal has outlined critical shortages of resources it faces, including a lack of training facilities for police officers to practice their shooting.
During a recent meeting with the business community, police officials expressed their need for key resources. The meeting aimed to discuss opportunities available for businesses through the SAPS procurement system, as well as the pressing needs that the police are currently facing. The shooting range is one of many key needs that the SAPS must rely on service providers for.
A senior police officer, Major General Siyanda Ngcobo, who led the discussions, detailed the shortages affecting the SAPS.
“We do not have a shooting range where we can practice. We are the police, yet we have to rely on private facilities. We do not have a conference room; every time we need to gather, we depend on private facilities. Additionally, we do not have a good ICT (Information and Communications Technology) centre. This current centre, (the building where the meeting was held), is far superior to the one used by the provincial commissioner.”
Major General Ngcobo said the quality of ICT assets is so outdated that only the detectives have access to laptops.
He also highlighted the need for assistance to fix an animal pound, explaining: “We lack an animal pound, forcing us to pay for stray animals, which is becoming increasingly costly.”
Concerns were raised about the recruitment of police officers to ensure that the police force is more representative of the country’s demographics.
“We have an ageing workforce, and thousands are retiring through natural attrition due to age. However, I cannot recruit certain groups to join the police force. There are specific race groups that we are just unable to recruit, no matter how hard I try,” he added.
He pointed out that there are numerous opportunities for the business community to explore, particularly regarding the significant spending on vehicles.
“We spend about R250 million on vehicles,” he said, adding that the supply from KZN is very limited. The contract for vehicle supplies is currently out for tender and will close at the end of the month, encouraging businesspeople to take advantage of these opportunities.
Major General Ngcobo said despite all these challenges, and the fact that police are overworked and underpaid, they continue to work hard.
He also mentioned conceptual ideas they are looking to explore in the fight against crime, one of which includes a surveillance balloon powered by helium. “We could use ideas on how we could develop this. There is only one country that has this technology, and that is in Israel. This could prove to be a very effective tool in fighting crime in congested areas where it is difficult to police.”
Security expert Johan Burger stated that the provision of resources is key to the police being able to do their jobs. He noted that it is surprising that the police do not have a shooting range, adding that it is a requirement for certification purposes for police to have access to one. He mentioned that the police used to have a college in the Chatsworth area that should have a shooting range.
Burger expressed concern over the lack of resources, stating that there have been many reports about police car shortages, with vehicles going for repairs and remaining there for extended periods.