July 2021 unrest: SAHRC recommends SSA, Crime Intelligence create relationship with communities to collect data
Part of the findings made by the human rights commission into the July 2021 unrest was that police were ill-prepared for the riots.
FILE: Rioters loot the Jabulani Mall in Soweto on 12 July 2021. South Africa's army said Monday it was deploying troops to two provinces, including its economic hub of Johannesburg, to help police tackle deadly violence and looting as unrest sparked by the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma entered its fourth day. Picture: Luca Sola/AFP
DURBAN - The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) recommended that the State Security Agency (SSA) and Crime Intelligence create a relationship with communities to collect important data.
In reports released on Monday looking into the July 2021 unrest, which rocked both KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, it emerged that part of the blame was squarely on the lack of adequate intelligence from the state to assist police with preparation.
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SAHRC Commissioner, Philile Ntuli, outlined recommendations for law enforcement agencies.
"Both the SSA and Crime Intelligence are to engage and deepen relationships with different sectors of society to enhance the quality of intelligence gathering and its management."
The commission also said there should be plans in place for the state to be able to respond to national security threats.