COSATU will present POPCRU and COSATU’s submission on SAPS’ Rural Safety Strategy to the Portfolio Committee on Police today Wednesday 14 November, Good Hope Chamber, Parliament.

Key crisis undermining SAPS’ successful implementation of its Rural Safety Strategy includes:

• Lack of priority crime specific strategies;
• Insufficient resourcing;
• Inadequately resourced SAPS stations;
• Insufficient vehicles;
• Inadequate training;
• Lack of support and attention given to vulnerable groups, in particular women and children;
• Expansion of gangs to peri-urban, coastal, fishing village and rural areas;
• Growth in various forms of trafficking;
• Neglect by employers and government of the rights of farm workers;
• No programme by government and industry to curb alcohol abuse; and
• Serious socio-economic crises facing our rural areas.

Until these crises are dealt with, SAPS will not be able to begin dealing with the rising levels of crime facing rural residents.

For further information contact: Matthew Parks- COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator

Cell: 082 785 0687
Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za