Police minister Firoz Cachalia has warned that the rise of organised crime in South Africa threatens the country’s national security and the endurance of its democracy.

He was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an event hosted by the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation.

Responding to questions about whether South Africa could go the way of Colombia and Ecuador, where organised crime has destabilised these states, he conceded that this was a possibility. The institutions tasked with dealing with corruption would need to be strengthened and perform their roles more effectively, if this situation is to be avoided.

“Patterns of criminality” were evolving, which saw cartels and syndicates undertaking kidnapping, extortion and trafficking in illegal goods.

“Some of these cartels are infiltrating government institutions,” he said.

Cachalia said he hoped that the recommendations of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council would be implemented. These included the creation of an independent Office of Public Integrity, which would conduct investigations and would have the power to refer matters for prosecution. This could be founded upon the existing Special Investigating Unit.

Another recommendation is that the Directorate for Priority Crimes should develop a greater focus on organised crime.

“The bottom line is that we’re not going to win the battle if we don’t dramatically or significantly show that we are increasing prosecutions effectively. Until that happens, the public will not believe in the need for an anti-corruption reform agenda,” he said.

Written by The Daily Friend and republished with permission. The original article can be found here.