hands over the Meloding Police Station to Deputy Minister of Safety and
Security, Ms Susan Shabangu
3 March 2006
The Deputy Minister of Safety and Security, Ms Susan Shabangu
The Premier of the Province, Ms Beatrice Marshoff
The MEC for Public Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr France Morule
The MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport Mr SJ Mohai
The Deputy National Commissioner of SAPS, HM Hlela
All senior leadership and management
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and gentlemen
The Meloding Police Station is the third such facility to be officially
opened in the Free State with me as a witness. My first public appearance after
I was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the National Department of Public
Works was when I officially handed over the R15 million, Mangaung Police
Station to Minister Charles Nqakula at Bloemfontein in June 2004. I was
privileged again to do the same in July 2005 at the official opening of the
Mafube Police Station at Namahadi, Frankfort.
Our relationship with the South African Police Service (SAPS) pre-dates my
appointment and extends far beyond the borders of this province. It was
important for me, however, to cite these three examples because it says to me,
and I hope to the people of Free State, that government is serious and earnest
about public infrastructure development as part of service delivery and poverty
alleviation.
Under apartheid, structures such as this Meloding Police Station, were far
and few in between. Where ever they existed, they were characterised by poorly
resourced buildings which were used mainly as torture chambers to enforce the
draconian rules of apartheid. An integrated approach to crime solution was
never part of apartheid social planning. It was only after 1994 that the new
government passed the National Integrated Crime Prevention Strategy of which
the Department of Public Works was a prime participant in terms of
infrastructure development and its management.
The key mandate and function of the national Department of Public Works is
to provide physical space for the accommodation of government and its
departments. This includes functional accommodation such as police stations,
prisons, courts of justice and military bases. Between 1994 and 2004, the
Department spent in excess of ten billion rand (R10 billion) in the execution
of seven thousand, six hundred and ninety two (7 692) construction-related
projects. We are proud to mention that SAPS, over the years has been one of our
top four clients along side correctional services, justice and defence.
Our main contribution to crime prevention was firstly the implementation of
Project Five Star which identified key SAPS facilities for major upgrading,
renovation and improvement. Our belief is that the police can successfully
combat crime if they have all-round support and resources, including ideal
physical space from which to manage their affairs and discharge their duties
including incarceration of law-breakers. Our other involvement was the
construction of one-stop Multi-Purpose Community Safety Centres. To date we
have erected and handed-over Community Safety Centres in seven of the nine
provinces. The latest one to be opened was the thirty five million rand (R35
million) Galashewe Community Safety Centre just outside Kimberley in Northern
Cape.
The good news to the people of Free State is that there are two other
multi-million rand projects in the form of seven million rand (R7 million) and
six million rand (R6 million) police stations currently under construction at
Verkykerskop and Phuthaditjhaba, respectively. If one considers the completed
eleven million rand (R11 million) and thirteen million rand (R13 million)
magistrate courts at Botshabelo and Kroonstad, one will understand that
government is on the move and that service delivery is neither negotiable nor
compromised.
We like to thank the construction industry as our suppliers for the gusto
with which they approach all our projects. Let me state for the record that
government relies on the expertise and patriotism of this sector to deliver all
government infrastructure needs in line with the millennium goals as enshrined
in New Partnership for Africaâs Development (NEPAD). Very soon, the Minister of
Public Works, Ms Stella Sigcau, will promulgate the Construction and Property
Transformation Charters that will promote growth, development and
transformation of these industries, with the aim of drawing in more black
people, women and small entrepreneurs. Most importantly, government wants these
sectors, like many others, to align themselves with socio-economic imperatives
necessary to nation-building.
I want to congratulate the people of Meloding for being the recipients of
this building. We believe they shall play their part as responsible citizens in
ensuring that the facility serves their purpose. I call on the people of Free
State to record such gains and make them part of their communal collective
memory each time they discuss their milestones as part of a better life being
created for them.
I take this opportunity to hand over this structure to the Deputy Minister
of South African Police Services, Ms Susan Shabangu.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Public Works
3 March 2006
Source: Department of Public Works (http://www.publicworks.gov.za)
