Pretoria - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has urged police to hone their communications skills saying improved communication will bolster the fight against crime.
Responding to questions in Parliament, the minister said the police's failure to communicate effectively with the public created the wrongful impression that the SAPS were not proactive.
He said there had been instances where police have succeeded in hunting down and arresting some of the most dangerous criminals who were then jailed for a lengthy period.
"However, police still fail to go back to society to communicate such positive breakthroughs and outcomes. At the end of the day, due to this lack of communication, such vulnerable communities still remain susceptible and under impressions that the suspects are still at large," he said.
Mthethwa, responding to questions regarding the SAPS' uses of mediums such as billboards and public engagements during the World Cup, said a strong message of assurance to both locals and international fans was necessary as the Police Ministry was acutely aware of the negative perceptions about the ability of police to deliver a safe World Cup.
It was part of a broader communication strategy implemented by police during the World Cup.
In total there were 10 billboards spread across the country totaling R315 000. Some of the billboards were given at no cost to SAPS as they formed part of Primedia's goodwill gesture, contribution and social responsibility to the fight against crime.
"The message had to show that the leadership of the country was making this assurance and if history is anything to judge the safety of the whole tournament by, the investment was indeed worthy," Mthethwa added.
