Obsolete communication infrastructure: A critical challenge for SAPS in KZN

IOL News

7 days ago

SAPS in KZN brief the NCOP on challenges
Image: File
Outdated information technology infrastructure, including a radio communication system that is now obsolete, old computers, and telephone systems at 10111 centres, are among the key resource challenges impacting the South African Police Service (SAPS) in KwaZulu-Natal.
This is revealed in a report that was tabled before members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in KZN during a meeting with SAPS leadership this week. The Mercury reported yesterday on some of the challenges outlined during the discussion, but the report expands on the pressing matters.
The report provides a detailed profile of the province, outlining the population that the police have to serve in comparison to their numbers. On the technological resources required by SAPS, the report states, 'Information technology infrastructure remains outdated, especially in rural stations that still rely on VSAT systems. The current radio communication system is obsolete, and several critical upgrades are required to support modern policing.
'These include replacing end-of-life user equipment such as desktops, laptops, and ICDMS scanners; upgrading network infrastructure and bandwidth capacity at all stations and switching centres; transitioning the radio network from analogue to digital; and replacing outdated telephone communication systems at 10111 centres across the province,' read the report.
One member of the NCOP, who did not want to be named, confirmed the existence of the report and stated that the situation faced by the police was extremely shocking.
He mentioned that another issue they were briefed on was related to case management technology and the shortage of two-way radios.
Another NCOP member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, 'The challenges faced by the SAPS regarding technology stem from the fact that ICT procurement is centralised to the State Information Technology Agency, which has been facing challenges. They cannot procure from anyone else. This issue affects not only the SAPS but also the Department of Home Affairs, which has encountered similar challenges.'
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The report further reveals basic shortages in essential resources, such as modern equipment and proper police facilities where police can securely store sensitive items, especially in rural areas.
The meeting comes as KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, who is the executive authority for the Community Safety and Liaison department, handed over four state-of-the-art mobile police stations to the police this week. The department's mobile police stations will be strategically utilised in identified crime hotspots such as Inanda, Mbonambi, Bulwer, and KwaMakhutha. This intervention will improve police visibility in crime-riddled areas.
The report detailed the profile of the province and laid bare the vast work to be covered with current resources, as approximately 23,000 police officers have to protect close to 12.5 million people, excluding foreign nationals, covering an area of 94,782 kilometres.
It revealed that the police profile shows there are 184 police stations, 45 satellite police stations, 125 provincial units, and 40 national units. The report states, 'In terms of safety measures, the installation of adequate security infrastructure at police stations remains constrained by budget limitations. Most stations lack the necessary funding to procure essential security systems. Similarly, SAPS garages face a shortage of security personnel, as financial constraints hinder the ability to contract private security services.
'In terms of immovable assets, there is an ongoing shortage of budget for the routine maintenance of police buildings. This has led to the deterioration of holding cells at several stations, forcing the relocation of detainees to other facilities, often located at considerable distances, which disrupts operational efficiency,' it said.
The SAPS also faced a persistent shortage of personnel, with the attrition rate of employees surpassing the rate of new recruits. This imbalance is further compounded by the loss of skilled and experienced members, which undermines institutional knowledge and service delivery capabilities.
'The rise in complex crimes such as extortion, construction mafia activities, and fraud in KwaZulu-Natal highlights the urgent need for enhanced cybercrime and commercial crime investigation capabilities. Addressing these threats effectively will require significant investment in specialised resources to position the province as a strong player in combating organised crime,' it said.
NCOP provincial whip in KwaZulu-Natal, Mzamo Billy, said they had been briefed on the report but declined to comment further.
Nthabeleng Molefe, Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union KZN provincial secretary, said the resource challenges were not new. Molefe said they reflect long-standing systemic problems that have consistently undermined the capacity of the police service to meet its constitutional mandate.
'One of the most pressing concerns is the outdated state of the SAPS communication system. When described as "obsolete," this refers to the continued reliance on analogue two-way radios and communication infrastructure that is no longer suited to the demands of modern policing. In many areas, especially rural and high-crime regions, officers have to operate without reliable communication tools.
'The lack of adequate handheld radios, poor signal coverage, and failure to maintain or upgrade the system has a direct impact on safety, coordination, and the ability to respond to emergencies in real-time.
'In some cases, members are forced to use personal devices to communicate, exposing them to additional risks and limiting operational efficiency. The combination of these factors results in a police service that is overstretched, under-resourced, and frequently demoralised,' said the provincial secretary.
SAPS spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, declined to comment on the meeting, stating that the NCOP members had expressed their views, and the police would not be making comments on the engagement.
THE MERCURY