Durban - A massive overhaul of the Durban metro police looms, with councillors growing frustrated with scandals that continue to plague the unit.
They have launched an investigation, labelled a “review”, after years of “a fair degree of negative media publicity” which they say has resulted in a likely loss of confidence by the public.
City manager S’bu Sithole tabled a request last week for about R2.1 million in resources for the project, before the municipality’s executive committee. It was granted.
In the report Sithole said: “Allegations reported in the media include maladministration, abuse of powers, sex scandals, conduct that demonstrates a lack of respect for human dignity in the course of policing, leadership battles and a problematic labour relations environment.”
The city wanted to understand the nature of the challenges, he said.
The review would be conducted by a team of independent researchers and consultants led by criminology professor Monique Marks, of the Durban University of Technology. It would also include international experts.
“The team will be able to find, first hand, what the structural, cultural and leadership concerns are and what had led to them,” the report read.
Rank-and-file officers, administrators, leaders and unions would be “active participants”.
The review would also put a magnifying glass on the city's recruitment and promotion processes and disciplinary procedures.
The report said the review would conclude with a programme for “strategy change and intervention”.
“This might involve adjusting the mission and vision of the organisation, management styles, systems of accountability, career structuring, and so on,” it read.
Consultants would collect data through interviews and unit document analysis. Another method would be through “participant observation”, where the researchers would observe roadblocks, patrols, crime prevention, briefing meetings and social events.
In a media statement, Sithole said: “We want to use a scientific process to try to get to the bottom of what is happening… We want to look at whether we have enough police officers, are they properly deployed to meet the needs of citizens, the issue of discipline of police, their well-being, concerns about harassment meted out to citizens…”
Opposition parties welcomed the move.
IFP councillor and exco member Mdu Nkosi said the investigation was “long overdue”.
“We support it. No matter how much we’ll spend. We need it to be a thorough investigation. Divisions (in the metro police) are deep-seated - it is used as a political tool. This is well-known,” he said, adding that rotten apples needed to be removed.
DA caucus leader Zwakele Mncwango said his party was happy that the municipality had finally heeded its calls.
Asked if he was convinced that officials would co-operate, he said: “They have to. Over the years you’ve seen officers protest against their boss - they are not stupid. Now to find the reason.”
Institute for Security Studies researcher Dr Johan Burger said: “This is absolutely the right way to do it. I’m glad that there are experts from abroad to assist, because there is much to be learnt from international experience.”
The Mercury