Western Cape Government Gravely Concerned Over Court Watching Brief Stats

The Western Cape Government has recorded its deep disquiet over data from the Court Watching Brief Statistics (CWB) covering the first quarter of the 2023/24 financial year, April to June. Premier Alan Winde and Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen, delivered an examination of these alarming statistics.

The CWB, an undertaking of the Western Cape's Police Oversight and Community Safety Department, provides crucial support to the department’s supervisory roles. It aids in identifying areas of inefficiency within the judicial system, drawing special attention to cases removed from the official court roster. Over the period of study, this initiative kept a close watch on eight courts spanning 21 police stations. Stations assessed include Khayelitsha, Blue Downs, Philippi, Mitchells Plain, Wynberg, Kuils River, Bellville and Athlone.

The stations were chosen for careful surveillance based on their designation as priority hubs due to intense criminal activity. Allen pointed out, distressingly, that Kraaifontein police station witnessed the highest tally of cases dismissed from the roll, with eight incidences. Worryingly, these cases encompass pressing matters associated with gender-based violence (GBV). He identified substandard investigation follow-ups, absent police dockets and defendants not appearing in court as the main reasons for these cases being dropped.

Premier Winde echoed these sentiments, voicing concern about the mishandling of grave offences, but noting the massive pressure our police officers face. He called for a more data and evidence-based approach to crime-fighting, and also suggested investing in changes to the root causes of crime such as unemployment.

Allen stressed the necessity for a uniform quality of service from SAPS regardless of individual variations, perhaps hinting at the need for devolved power over SAPS. The report failed to elicit a response from Thembisile Patekile, the provincial commissioner, yet SAPS spokesperson Novela Potelwa assured that thorough discussions regarding the CWB's implications would soon commence with the Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety.