South African Police Service

Between January 1997 and November 2000 the number of SAPS employees decreased by 14 356, or 10.5% (Figure 2).



The number of civilians employed by the SAPS over this period remained constant. The number of uniformed members and detectives decreased from 116 206 to 102 354 over this period, a decrease of 12%.

The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) is a statutory body. The principal function of the ICD is to investigate police misconduct and criminal offences allegedly committed by members of the police service. Anybody, including members of the public, can lodge a complaint against the police with the directorate.

The number of complaints lodged with the ICD increased from 1 999 in 1997/98 to 4 380 in 1999/2000, an increase of 119% (Figure 3).

During 1999/2000 the ICD investigated 209 deaths in policy custody. According to the directorate the cause of death in these cases were: natural causes (31 deaths), suicides (63), injuries in custody (20), injuries prior to custody (28), and possible police negligence (67).

National Prosecuting Authority

The country’s district and regional magistrates’ courts deal with over 97% of all criminal trials. The remainder go to the various divisions of the high court.

Between April 1999 and November 2000 the number of outstanding cases in the district courts increased by 6216 cases. Some 7727 more cases were finalised in November 2000 compared to April 1999 (Figure 4).

The district courts finalised an average of 23721 cases per month, while an average of 111747 cases per month were outstanding over the 20 months period between April 1999 and November 2000.



Between April 1999 and November 2000 the number of outstanding cases in the regional courts increased by 5989 cases. Some 477 more cases were finalised in November 2000 compared to April 1999 (Figure 5).

The regional courts finalised an average of 3038 cases per month, while an average of 42299 cases per month were outstanding over the 20 months period between April 1999 and November 2000.

Prisons

During 2000 the approved occupancy level of South Africa’s prisons increased by 2157 beds. In December 2000 South Africa’s 233 prisons had an approved occupancy level of 101991 but were holding 163546 inmates (Figure 6).

Between June and December 2000 the number of prisoners decreased by 6782. Over the same period the number of awaiting trial prisoners as a proportion of total prisoner numbers decreased from 34.8% to 33.9%.



The decrease in prisoner numbers was mainly due to the September 2000 release of 8262 awaiting trial prisoners who could not afford to pay bail of R1000 or less, and the release of 8678 convicted offenders who were placed under correctional supervision through the advancement of their parole dates.



Since 1996 the number of yearly escapes has decreased significantly. In 1995 some 1177 prisoners escaped, 1996 (1244), 1997 (989), 1998 (498), 1999 (459), 2000 (254). (Figure 7).

The private security industry

The number of active security officers registered with the Security Officers’ Interim Board increased by 64176 between January 1998 and December 2000, an increase of 53%. In the six months period between June and December 2000 the number of registered officers increased by 14682 or 9% (Figure 8).

The number of active security service providers registered with the Security Officers’ Interim Board increased from 4642 in January 1998 to 5269 in December 2000, an increase of 14% (Figure 9). Of the 5269 registered service providers in December 2000 there were 3520 guarding businesses, 1010 armed response businesses and 680 cash-in-transit businesses.

The decline in the number of registered security service providers between July 1998 and December 1999 was partly because of the consolidation which took place in the industry, and the closing of some service providers because of an over-supply in the market.