2023 Control Measures to Curb Violence and the Security Services

This article discusses the most important court decisions and measures that dealt with violence and the security services in South Africa in 2023. It discusses, among others, the 2023 crime statistics that continue to underline South Africa as a violent society. It indicates, for example, that violent crimes increased while violent protests decreased during the reporting period. Despite the destruction of firearms, violent crimes still include the use of firearms. The article also deals with new measures to curb gender-based violence. It further introduces the newest amendments providing more clarity with regard to the beneficiaries of the educational financial aid regulations issued in terms of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act 34 of 1995. The Draft National Policing Policy, rural safety and the rising number of civil claims against the police services are also discussed. The article further discusses the Correctional Services Amendment Bill [B14-2023] and the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill [B40-2023], that give effect to judgments of the Constitutional Court that declared some of the provisions of the original acts unconstitutional. The General Law (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing) Amendment Act 22 of 2022 increased the penalties for offences committed in terms of this Act. This article discusses the most important 2023 measures and court decisions in relation to crime statistics and violent protests, national unity and reconciliation, security services (police services, correctional services, defence and intelligence services), arms and ammunition, gender-based violence and terrorism.