In its quest to fight crime and corruption in the province, the North West provincial government will strengthen the policing forums as a first line in crime prevention.
Delivering the State of the Province Address in the provincial legislature, North West Premier, Maureen Modiselle, said the need to integrate these structures with other state-wide community based units such as the community development forums, municipal ward committees and street committee structures was established.
The premier said the responsibility of fighting crime was both government and societal one.
“We have committed to fight crime, corruption and its causes. This is a commitment we are going to foreground this year,” said Modiselle.
Modiselle outlined that the provincial executive committee has approved the terms of reference for the provincial forensic management committees corruption busting operation Washa tsotsi.
“Operation Washa tsotsi is the greatest thing ever to happen in South Africa and I want to reiterate what president said, ‘if you are a criminal you have fewer, if any, rights than the victim of your action’. We will track you, find you and lock you up”.
She said government’s contribution towards crime prevention was in the main infrastructural and system resourcing.
“We will be building new police stations in Ikageng, Itsoseng and Kanana while the Zeerust police station is up for upgrading and a new police station is planned for Vryburg,” said Modiselle, who further outlined that the provincial personnel growth was reported to be at 19 percent.
Modiselle cited as one of the achievements of the provincial government as the establishment of the provincial anti-stock theft forum that operates within a rural safety plan. She warned that thieves would face the full might of the law.
“This is a rural province, it leans towards agriculture. Our people cannot be derailed from their road towards self sustenance.”
For more information, contact:
Kgotso Khumalo
Cell: 082 7288 400
Tel: 018 387 3456
E-mail: khumalok@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: North West Provincial Government
25 February 2010
