been aware of the use of the green
cards long before the media reported on
them this week. File photo
Photograph by: ALON SKUY
National police commissioner
Riah Phiyega has ordered that
the use of green work cards
in Worcester, Western Cape,
be stopped immediately.
Job seekers have needed the green cards to
gain access to certain upmarket
neighbourhoods in the Boland town.
The stated goal of the local policing forum
in introducing the cards was to remove
criminals but the cards have been likened
to the dompas permits of the apartheid
era.
Phiyega admitted that the police had been
aware of the use of the green cards long
before the media reported on them this
week.
Phiyega, who was questioned about the use
of the cards by the National Assembly's
police portfolio committee, told MPs that
Worcester police station managers had
ordered the withdrawal of only those green
cards that bore the SAPS logo.
The Worcester Community Policing Forum
issued the cards in July last year in
response to rising crime in predominantly
white suburbs.
MPs asked Phiyega to explain why it
appeared that the green cards had the
backing of SAPS management.
ANC MP and committee chairman Francios
Beukman said: "We need to ensure that all
South Africans are able to walk the streets
freely."
Phiyega said she started investigating the
matter on Tuesday and found that the
green cards were an initiative of sector four
of the Worcester Community Policing
Forum. She said that it was a "[community
policing forum] type of arrangement,
together with the participation of [police
sector commander] Sergeant [Julian]
Plaatjies".
Phiyega yesterday assured the committee
that the system would end with immediate
effect.
Beukman said a "clear signal" had to be
sent to Plaatjies about his support of the
system.
The committee hauled the police and the
State Information Technology Agency over
the coals for the slow delivery and
upgrading of police computer systems.
The national network upgrading project -
aimed at connecting rural police stations
and improving control of dockets and
firearms - had stalled between 2012 and
2014 because of poor tender and contract
management.
DA member Dianne Kohler Barnard asked
if there was a way for the police to rid
themselves of SITA - the government's in-
house IT company.
ANC MP Leonard Ramatlakane said SITA
had capacity and delivery problems.
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