PublicationsResearchCriminal Justice, Policing, Torture and State ViolenceGripes or Grievances? What the Independent Complaints Directorate Statistics Tell Us (or Not)This paper discusses Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) statistics, and reviews what it is that they actually reveal. It shows that most complaints received by the ICD are not from victims of police brutality, but from members of the public dissatisfied with the quality of policing service provided to them. It therefore argues that ICD statistics cannot be used as indicators… Read More David BruceJune 2, 2003
PublicationsResearchCriminal Justice, PolicingBad Cops Get a Break: The Closure of the SAPS Anti-Corruption UnitRecently the SAPS announced that it would close its anti-corruption unit and integrate some of its members into the organised crime unit. This paper draws on international experience to argue that this decision is a mistake and that a specialised unit dedicated to investigating police crime and corruption is crucial if police corruption is to be tackled effectively. Read More Gareth Newham and Lulama GomomoJune 2, 2003
PublicationsResearchCriminal Justice, PolicingDemocratic Reform of Police – Any Lessons for Kenya from South Africa?This paper attempts to provide some lessons for democratic reform of the police in Kenya. While the paper draws on international literature on the subject it is grounded in the South African experience following the election of South Africa’s first democratic government in April 1994. Read More David BruceApril 24, 2003
PublicationsResearchCriminal Justice, PolicingSector Policing: A New Approach to Community PolicingThis is a report on the SAPS Area Johannesburg Community Policing Board Workshop, which occurred on 12 April 2003. The key objective of this workshop was to work towards creating synergy between the vision of the South African Police Services (SAPS) Johannesburg Area Commissioner and the initiatives of the Johannesburg Area Community Policing Forums (CPFs). The aim of this report… Read More Gareth NewhamApril 1, 2003
PolicyPublicationsChildren and Youth, Criminal JusticeA Brief Update on Juvenile JusticeThis policy brief provides some context around the rights of children accused of committing crimes in South Africa. The brief advocates for substantial reallocation of resources within the Justice and Welfare departments to assessment services, the preliminary enquiry process and the provision of diversion and alternative sentencing options. Read More Amanda DisselMarch 28, 2003
PublicationsResearchCorrectional Services, Criminal Justice, Sexual ViolenceDaai Ding: Sex, Sexual Violence and Coercion in Men's PrisonsThis paper discusses the social circumstances surrounding both sex and violence amongst male inmates of South African prisons, and in particular, the apparently common convergence between the two - when sex is forced or performed in an act of violence. Data was gathered primarily through in-depth interviews and in-depth focus groups with ex-prisoners and current prisoners. Read More Sasha Gear and Kindisa NgubeniDecember 19, 2002
