Rural safety: Legislation and resources

This is the second in a series of three articles focusing on different aspects of rural safety.

- Dr WA Lombard

In the previous article we look at rural crime rates and trends. This month the focus shifts to legislation and policy aspects applicable to rural safety, as well as various technologies and resources that can be incorporated to improve rural safety.

The role of the SAPS and army

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996) states clearly that the South African Police Service (SAPS) must protect the citizens of the state. Section 205(3) of the Constitution, which deals with the obligations of the SAPS, reads as follows: “The objectives of the police service are to prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain public order, protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property, and to uphold and enforce the law.”

This includes both rural and urban areas. The South African National Defence Force also plays a role. The purpose of the army is stated in section 200(2) of the Constitution: “The primary objective of the defence force is to defend and protect the Republic, its territorial integrity and its people in accordance with the Constitution and the principles of international law regulating the use of force.”

Rural security plan

The revised Rural Safety Strategy (RSS), which is based on eight pillars, was launched in 2019 to achieve greater co-operation among role-players in rural areas, thus creating a safer environment.

These pillars, or focus areas, are:

• Building effective human and physical capacity and skills.

• Enhanced policing in rural and urban areas through a back-to-basics approach.