Cops target young boffins

National Minister for Safety and Security - Nathi Mthethwa addresses a gathering of senior police officials. With him are Divisional Commissioner Training - Gary Kruser, City of uMhlathuze Speaker - Cllr Elphas Mbatha, City Mayor - Cllr Zakhele Mnqayi and Provincial Commissioner - Hamilton Ngidi

THE brightest young maths and science brains are being lured to futures in the SA Police Service.
Speaking at a function in Richards Bay on Friday prior to an imbizo with the Dondotha community, National Minister of Safety and Security, Nathi Mthethwa said the expertise and resourcefulness of criminals had to be met head on ‘with intelligence and information’.
‘We need a more sophisticated approach and the challenges related to police capacity at all levels - physical as well as human resources,’ said Mthwethwa.
‘The quality of SAPS cadres, especially investigators, needs to rise.’

Rural crime
Mthethwa said changes also need to be made with regard to rural crime, which now often exceeds that in urban areas.
‘Rural areas used to be places of peace and rest when coming home from the city, but are now havens for criminals and satellite stations will have to be improved.
‘We also need more co-operation from communities - after all, it is our children and families who commit crime or who know who the criminals are,’ said Mthwethwa.
‘We need each other as the gap between the number of police and the growing population figures keeps widening.
‘Fortunately, we are getting more involvement from traditional leaders.’
Minister Mthwethwa said the entire Criminal Justice System was also under scrutiny.
‘We need a seamless system and this includes relooking the Constitution which is so good in protecting human rights that it appears to favour criminals.’