Information for the Flow Chart for reporting and investigating of crime.
A “case number” is only issued when a docket is opened for criminal investigation. If you just report something for Police attention or information, you can ask for an Occurrence Book (OB) number or an IR number which is generated by computer when you phone the Station or 10111. Merely reporting something or calling for the Police does not mean that a formal investigation will take place after they have attended to you. If you wish investigation, a case must be opened in which you sign a statement.

A case number or OB number has up to three digits, a slash, the month number, slash and then year. Example: CAS: 35/09/2010 or OB: 301/02/2011. (CAS stands for Crime Administration System)
If you provide a cell phone number, an SMS will be sent to you quoting the CAS. DO NOT phone that number back. It is an automated server, not a person sending you the message.
When you report a road accident, you do not get a “case number” unless a person has been severely injured or killed. Otherwise you will receive an Officers Accident Report (OAR) number, similar to the above. Example: OAR: 438/10/2009.
When reporting a criminal case for investigation, there may be a delay of several minutes for the number to be generated. The docket information must be uploaded onto computer and our central system issues a sequential number. This number is specific to the station where the case is opened. If the case has to be transferred, a new number will be generated by that station or unit. Example: Westville CAS 116/04/2011 may become Pinetown CAS 342/04/2011.
We often have conflict when outside parties such as Insurance Companies are involved. They ask for “case” numbers when the situation desires an OAR number etc. Do not fret about this; the personnel in the Community Service Centre (Charge Office) are well versed in what is required in each instance.
When a loss is involved, such as an insured Cell Phone, DO NOT report it as “stolen” simply to satisfy your insurance company. We all have a lot to say about Crime Statistics, and this sort of false reporting cause more inaccuracy in the system.

Once you have reported a crime and opened a criminal case, the docket will be assigned to a Detective for investigation. The person in the van or behind the counter who assisted you will very likely never see it again. If you take their name; that is fine, but coming looking for them at a later stage to find out what is happing with the investigation is fruitless. 
The detectives have a standing order to contact you or visit the crime scene within 24 hours of you opening a case. If there is no “crime scene”, as for example in a case of internet fraud, the detective must still contact you. If you have not been contacted within 24 hours, contact the Detective Component Commander, Major Majola. (See organogram.)
Please ask the rank, name and contact number of the detective attending to you. Confirm that you have the correct CAS number. It is extremely frustrating trying to help someone track a case when they don’t even know the CAS.
The detective will investigate the case. It is not possible to call you to inform you of every single step that has been taken. If there has been a significant development such as a suspect arrest or property recovered, you will be informed.
Many times I have overheard people say, or tell me directly that the “detectives do nothing”. This is not true. Simply because you have not been told what has transpired does not mean there has not been any activity. If the investigation can go no further due to lack of leads or evidence, you will be informed and the case will be filed. As more case dockets come in every day, it is impossible for detectives to keep an infinite number of cases open if no further action can be taken. It can be reopened at anytime if more information comes to light. Cases are never forgotten. Years can go by before an arrest is made and the investigation will continue.
On occasion, cases are forwarded to the Senior Public Prosecutor (SPP) for a decision. This decision will determine what, if any, further action can be taken on a particular case.
The investigation of a case can be put on hold while various forensic evidence are awaited. Examples are Blood Alcohol samples which are sent to the State Laboratory in Pretoria, Firearm and Ballistic evidence which is examined in Amanzimtoti, which also houses the drug laboratory. Fingerprint analysis is conducted in Durban but a full fingerprint identification report is conducted in Pretoria. Until these reports are returned, the case is put on hold. When the reports are returned, the Detective and his Commander will decide further activity on the docket, or it is forwarded to the SPP for decision.

General
Because a criminal case is opened, does not mean a person or suspect is guilty of an offence. The case is merely a formal record of evidence, statements and actions taken in regard to the compliant. 
As a member of the community, you do not “charge” someone else. You open a case for investigation and on the strength of the evidence the suspect is either arrested or warned to appear in court. Once arrested, the detective has 48 hours to decide whether to “charge” the suspect. If he or she does, the suspect becomes “an accused” and has therefore been formally accused of the offence.
Do not demand arrest. Arrest is not punishment. Under the Law it is only one of several means of securing a person’s attendance in court. In minor cases a person who is accused can be “warned” to appear in court. Here, the accused is issued with a formal notice stating the time, date and which court he or she is to appear in.
Bail is not “letting the person off”. Every accused has the right to APPLY for bail. One can only apply for bail AFTER being charged. While still a suspect, one remains under arrest. There are several conditions that the accused must comply with to qualify for bail, one being that they must have a fixed abode. The detective or another Police Official must visit that pace and satisfy to the best of their knowledge that the accused lives there. Another condition is that the accused is not a flight risk. If necessary they must surrender their passport or have other strict conditions met to make sure they appear in court.
The value of the bail set is conditional to the type of offence and risk of the accused fleeing. After the first appearance in court, a magistrate will extend the bail, adjust the conditions or remand the accused to custody, as he or she sees fit.
Please remember this is South Africa. The things you see on TV, especially American TV DO NOT apply here. Do not tell an arresting officer that your “lawyer will have me out of here in one minute.” I am friends with a Lieutenant in the New York Police Department. He says when he sees that he cringes because it doesn’t even happen THERE in real life.
Educate yourself to your rights. Google Sections 35 AND 36 of the South African Constitution. Don’t tell me you know your rights. If you do, that’s wonderful, read Section 36. One of the first things that section will tell you is that NO right is absolute. A Police Official can limit any right if justifiable.
Finally. Please treat Policemen and women with the same respect you show every other person around you. I have no idea why community members think that they can shout at, swear at, threaten or abuse me because I wear this uniform. You will be treated with the same decorum you treat us. We do understand you may be traumatized, but you don’t insult your doctor when you go to him for help do you?
Sgt SD Clark
SAPS Westville