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By Annalise Kempen
Photos by Vincent Lali, Ashraf Hendricks, Ihsaan Haffejee/GroundUp and City of Cape Town

It is a fact that 607 163 contact crimes have been reported between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022 - a fact which should serve as a wake-up call about the crime situation in South Africa. An analysis of these 600 000+ reported contact crimes (crimes against the person), reminds us that an average of 69 people had been murdered each day during that period; 114 people had been raped; 57 vehicles and five trucks had been hijacked; and that 60 house robberies and 446 cases of assault GBH had been reported every single day of those 12 months (SAPS, 2022).

Article and photos by Kotie Geldenhuys

When someone knows about criminal activities, they often do not know where to go with the information without placing themselves in harm's way. The solution for this problem is Crime Stop, specifically its share call number 08600 10111 or the MySAPS mobile app or USSD string *134*10111#. But the question these people may ask is who deals with this information and how? Servamus recently visited the Crime Stop office and call centre at the SAPS Head Office in Pretoria to learn more about the work they do.

By Kotie Geldenhuys

"Our hope for the future depends on our resolution as a nation in dealing with the scourge of corruption. Success will require an acceptance that, in many respects, we are a sick society. It is perfectly correct to assert that all this was spawned by apartheid. No amount of self-induced amnesia will change the reality of history. But it is also a reality of the present that among the new cadres in various levels of government you will find individuals who are as corrupt - if not more - than those they find in government.

By Kotie Geldenhuys
Photos provided by Deirdré van Helsdingen

We are all quick to complain about the lack of services from municipalities and about the ongoing crime situation in the country. But what are we doing? Are we going to be or make the difference?

Servamus - June 2023

SCHOOLS: A paradise for gangsters?
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It seems that some schools in the country have become a paradise for gangsters as children are recruited to join gangs and turf wars are fought on school grounds.
By Kotie Geldenhuys
Is there life after crime?
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Each year, a large number of incarcerated offenders are released from South African correctional centres and returned to their families and communities.
By Kotie Geldenhuys
Follow the money behind human trafficking
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Nobody volunteers to become a victim of human trafficking or modern slavery.
Compiled by Annalise Kempen
The "father wound": A lifetime of pain
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"When growing up in an environment where your father does not care about you and never gives you a pat on the back saying 'well done', it open doors for gangsterism."
By Kotie Geldenhuys
Newsflash

Pollex - June 2023

Thabo Bester's Escape From Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein
During March/April 2023 Mr Thabo Bester, referred to supra, was constantly in the news.
Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998
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The Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998 (hereinafter referred to as Act 116 of 1998) is amended by the Domestic Violence Amendment Act 14 of 2021 which appears in English and Afrikaans in Government Gazette No 45824 dated 28 January 2022 (hereinafter referred to as the "Amendment Act").
Stop unlawful arrest and detention: A fresh, new look by the SCA at unlawful arrest and detention
Read More - Diljan v Minister of Police (Case no 746/2021) [2022] ZASCA 103 (dated 24 June 2022) (SCA)
Relevant legal provisions applicable to this judgment Section 40(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 ("the CPA") provides as follows:

Letters - June 2023

Go Digital - Servamus!
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Ek is baie dankbaar dat ek oorgeskakel het vanaf die gedrukte na die digitale uitgawe van Servamus.
Release of Krugersdorp rape victims’ details
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I am dismayed to learn of the "unintended" public release of personal information of eight victims of a rape that occurred in July 2022 in Krugersdorp.
Well done Townhill SAPS
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The manner in which I was received by the acting Station Commander of Townhill SAPS, W/O P K Naidoo, on the morning of 12 April 2023, not only humbled me but caused me to eat humble pie.
June Magazine Cover

Servamus' Mission

Servamus is a community-based safety and security magazine for both members of the community as well as safety and security practitioners with the aim of increasing knowledge and sharing information, dedicated to improving their expertise, professionalism and service delivery standards. It promotes sound crime management practices, freedom of speech, education, training, information sharing and a networking platform.