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While the Western Cape is caught in a serious stranglehold of crime, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in this province have to make do with insufficient and antiquatedtechnology or make use of personal WhatsApp messages. The civil rights organisation Cape Forum believes this is due to the State Information Technology Agency’s (SITA) remissness and alleged irregularities in a tender process. Cape Forum is therefore now demanding answers from SITA regarding the lack of infrastructure maintenance and upgrades to the SAPS’ radio network.

This follows after it became known earlier this year that the SAPS has had to make do with outdated radio communication equipment for more than 13 years. Cape Forum has meanwhile received several complaints from SAPS members who argue that they have to ask for assistance through WhatsApp messages and pin locations.

“Crime is one of the biggest obstacles to economic progress in South Africa. It is particularly regrettable that SAPS members put their lives on the line on a daily basis and are not even equipped with the necessary resources to fight crime,” says Bernard Pieters, Manager of Community Activation at Cape Forum.

Cape Forum wrote to Molatlhegi Kgauwe, SITA’s acting Managing Director, about the outdated technology in early September. “Neither Kgauwe nor his office answered Cape Forum’s inquiry,” explains Pieters.

However, Cape Forum did receive worrying information from a reliable source. According to this source, it appears as if there may have been irregularities in the tender process for the SAPS TETRA radio system. The application process for this tender opened in September 2022.

“Based on the information we received, it was decided to submit an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to SITA,” says Pieters. “Cape Forum is now demanding answers regarding, among other things, the current status of the tender, any delays that may exist in respect of the tender process, as well as a list of tenders that have been received. This information will provide clarity on the rumours of irregularities that may contribute to the communication crisis that police members in the Western Cape are now facing. It also appears as if the SAPS’ top management has fallen into a kakistocracy with a total lack of competence and a complete unwillingness to protect police members,” concludes Pieters.

Issued by Cape Forum