SAPS` COSTLY RESTRUCTURING: A Review of Public Order Policing Capacity

This document provides recommendations for improving public order policing within the South African Police Service (SAPS), focusing on updating legislation, addressing the negative impacts of the September 2006 restructuring of Crime Combating Units (CCUs), enhancing training, and coordinating private security for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

• The Regulation of Gatherings Act 205 of 1993 requires updating to better define the roles and responsibilities of marshals and march organisers based on practical experience in event management.
• The September 2006 restructuring of Crime Combating Units (CCUs) led to a 50 per cent depletion of unit personnel while maintaining the same geographical service areas, resulting in increased travel and risks of member stress and fatigue.
• In-service training for CCU members has come to a total standstill following restructuring, leading to a de-skilling of the workforce and a lack of training for new members, although long-term experience (10 to 20 years) has preserved some specialist skills.
• There is a need for improved and more frequent training regarding the appropriate use of firearms for both SAPS and metro police officers, the latter of whom are described as having been over-zealous in their use of firearms.
• Preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup requires ministerial-level coordination for the training of private security guards and a vital role for the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) in managing crowd management training and steward registration.

APA

Omar'], [. (2007). SAPS` COSTLY RESTRUCTURING: A Review of Public Order Policing Capacity. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/topics/conflict-prevention-and-analysis/20-may-2008-iss-feature-xenophobia-in-south-africa/01-oct-2007-monograph-no-138-saps-costly-restructuring-a-review-of-public-order-policing-capacity-bilkis-omar/chapter-8-recommendations

Chicago

Omar'], ['Bilkis. SAPS` COSTLY RESTRUCTURING: A Review of Public Order Policing Capacity. Institute for Security Studies, 2007. https://issafrica.org/topics/conflict-prevention-and-analysis/20-may-2008-iss-feature-xenophobia-in-south-africa/01-oct-2007-monograph-no-138-saps-costly-restructuring-a-review-of-public-order-policing-capacity-bilkis-omar/chapter-8-recommendations.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Omar'] |first1=['Bilkis |title=SAPS` COSTLY RESTRUCTURING: A Review of Public Order Policing Capacity |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=October 2007 |url=https://issafrica.org/topics/conflict-prevention-and-analysis/20-may-2008-iss-feature-xenophobia-in-south-africa/01-oct-2007-monograph-no-138-saps-costly-restructuring-a-review-of-public-order-policing-capacity-bilkis-omar/chapter-8-recommendations |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{omar2007saps, author = {Omar'], ['Bilkis}, title = {{SAPS` COSTLY RESTRUCTURING: A Review of Public Order Policing Capacity}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2007}, month = oct, url = {https://issafrica.org/topics/conflict-prevention-and-analysis/20-may-2008-iss-feature-xenophobia-in-south-africa/01-oct-2007-monograph-no-138-saps-costly-restructuring-a-review-of-public-order-policing-capacity-bilkis-omar/chapter-8-recommendations}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }