SJC march for equitable allocation of policing resources

About 100 Social Justice Coalition (SJC) members and residents from Khayelitsha marched to Parliament to hand over an open letter and court papers to the Portfolio Committee of Police.

This follows several attempts by SJC, Equal Education and Nyanga Community Forum to demand that the Minister of Police and the acting National Police Commissioner revise the system governing the allocation of police resources.

SJC has taken the matter to the Equality Court. It has also advised the portfolio committee to study the court papers and follow its arguments in court on 28, 29 and 30 November, 2017.

According to Dalli Weyers from SJC, the Portfolio Committee of Police can get information on the distribution of police resources from the Coalition’s submissions to the court.

Weyers displayed physical graphs in front of Parliament that displayed how police resources are irrationally allocated in different provinces.

SJC physical graph showing the allocation of resources and crime rates in the Western Cape. Photo By Bernard Chiguvare

Speaking to Elitsha, Anele Veli from Khayelitsha says that crime is very high in his area, “There are times I don’t go to school fearing gangsters attack on my way. When I was in primary school my mother used to accompany me but now at this age I do not expect that.”

Veli (17), a learner from Iqhaviya Senior Secondary School in Khayelitsha says sometimes gangsters break in and rob them of their cellphones and food.

Speaking to the media after receiving the court papers, Francois Beukman, chairperson of the Police Portfolio Committee said, “Now that we have the information on file we will study it and in February next year we will invite you (SJC) to a special meeting on the allocation of police resources.

“Black lives matter, black townships need police presence. Learners are afraid to go to school. Take time reading the court papers you will come across some evidence that we are sure you are not aware of. Please follow our arguments at the Equality Court on 28, 29 and 30 November,” says Mandisa Dyantyi, SJC Deputy General Secretary.