Cape Town — The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has revealed that the South African Police Services (SAPS) were not adequately prepared to deal with the July 2021 unrest.
In a report released on Monday, the SAHRC held a special media briefing to reveal their findings from the 2021 unrest, that affected KZN and Gauteng. The looting resulted in 350 deaths and over Rr50b in economic losses, SABC News reported.
According to SAHRC Commissioner, Philile Ntuli, the findings revealed the shortcomings in SAPS’ ability to adequately deal with and address the unrest.
“A combination of factors appeared to have caused these shortcomings, evidence tabled before the panel points to the under-resourcing and the consequent lack of capacity within crime intelligence. Evidently, there has also been a breakdown in coherent communication within the South African Police Service between crime intelligence, the National Commissioner of Police, relevant operational divisions and the Minister of Police,” Ntuli said.
The SAPS was ill prepared to deal with the Unrest – SAHRC#UnresrReports
— SAHRCommission (@SAHRCommission) January 29, 2024
Lapses in Intelligence Coordination and Communication
SAPS failed to detect the planning and execution of the unrest, which falls within its mandate. A combination of factors appeared to have caused these shortcomings.#UnrestReports
— SAHRCommission (@SAHRCommission) January 29, 2024
The SAPS must ensure regular engagements to promote solutions and foster professionalism and enhance protection of human rights while effectively managing crowds – SAHRC#UnrestReports
— SAHRCommission (@SAHRCommission) January 29, 2024
According to EWN, the report also revealed that part of the blame falls on the lack of adequate intelligence from the state to assist police with preparation. Ntuli outlined recommendations for law enforcement agencies.
“Both the SSA and Crime Intelligence are to engage and deepen relationships with different sectors of society to enhance the quality of intelligence gathering and its management.”
Further findings in the report showed that racial socialisation played a crucial role in the unrest that was a violent culmination of deep rooted political and economic discourse.
The report also found that the unrest, which coincided with the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma, determined that the two incidents were likely related,
Political factors
Both SSA and crime intelligence must deepen relationships with society to deepen intelligent information gathering – SAHRC#UnrestReports
— SAHRCommission (@SAHRCommission) January 29, 2024
The timing of the events of the July Unrest coincided with the incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma. This intersection of events has led many to conclude that the two are related – SAHRC#UnrestReports
— SAHRCommission (@SAHRCommission) January 29, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
