The Role of the South African National Defence Force in Policing

Abstract

The subjects of law enforcement, the protection of society and more specifically criminal justice practices have sparked lively debate in both public and legal spheres. Over the past decade, human right scholars/activists as well as civil society organisations in South Africa have advocated for the creation of new laws, policies and practices in relation to the fight against crime. Reflecting on over a decade of law enforcement, this article attempts to highlight some of South Africa’s unique experiences in the fight against crime as well as the specific discursive challenges faced by reformers in developing an appropriate contextual approach. This article reflects specifically on the often-overlooked role, which the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) can play in precipitating and sustaining law enforcement in civil society. It also further reflects on the legislative decisions made in this regard. The article also examines the general overview of shifts in policing policies and practices with regard to policing and law enforcement in the South African context

"Soldiers against gangsters?": Evaluation of the impact of the army deployment against gang violence on homicides in the Cape Flats

“…Legally, the soldiers have the same powers and authority as the police, excluding the investigation of crime, 43 but they typically focus on providing the police with protection and logistic and personnel support toward maintaining operational perimeters and roadblocks. 44 The Minister of Police described Operation Lockdown as consisting of "all role players such as the various SAPS units, Metro police, traffic services, SANDF and in some instances scores of neighbourhood watch members and volunteers … descending week after week on a number of targeted precincts in an effort to create safety for all [through] [r]aids, operations, cordon and searches, vehicle checkpoints, roadblocks as well as search and seizures … particularly on weekends when most criminal acts occur." 45 The SANDF's contribution was to be "a) Troops for cordon and search, strong points in hot spots, observation, foot and vehicle patrols; b) Air support for trooping and identification of substance manufacturing labs; and c) Any other operations that may be determined from time to time".…”

An Evaluation of Legislative Frameworks and Structures for Policing Stock Theft in South Africa

“…In this attempt, the DAFF work with other stock theft prevention stakeholders, by collaborating with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), NPA, SAPS STUs and SANDF, to prevent cross border stock theft by controlling border entries. Montesh and Basdeo (2012) discuss that SANDF can also play a significant part in fighting serious crimes, including farm attacks and stock theft by syndicate group. The SANDF operations can include monitoring surveillance and providing air transportation to the SAPS STUs, as well as providing logistic…”

An Analysis of Public Order Policing in the Gauteng Province, South Africa

“…There were signs of a lack of command and control during the public protests" (Participant 15). Montesh and Basdeo (2012) argue that "given the relative shortage of South Africa Police (SAP) personnel, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) can play a role in precipitating and sustaining law enforcement in civil society and they can be deployed to assist in the maintenance of law and order, especially during service delivery marches and strikes". New recruits, as well as reserve police, in order to strengthen the SAPS's response to public order, and thus new selection and recruitment systems, will only have an impact on the SAPS in the long term (Montesh, 2012).…”