Abilities of Western Cape SAPS restricted through lack of proper equipment

The civil rights organisation Cape Forum notes with concern the fact that the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape has already had to do without the necessary radio communication equipment for more than 13 years. The organisation is demanding answers from the state’s information technology agency (SITA) about the lack of infrastructure maintenance and upgrades to the SAPS radio network.

Cape Forum has already received complaints from SAPS members that they have to ask for backup through WhatsApp messages and locators. “Crime is and remains one of the biggest obstacles to economic progress in South Africa. It is particularly regrettable that SAPS members put their lives on the line on a daily basis and are not even equipped with the necessary resources to fight crime,” says Bernard Pieters, associated with Cape Forum.

“We have sent a letter to Molatlhegi Kgauwe, the acting managing director of SITA on this issue. We will continue to keep a close eye on the matter and will not hesitate to take legal action if attention is not paid to this,” concludes Pieters.

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