The Ministry of Police is perplexed or rather more appropriately, entirely disillusioned by the media statement released by the Democratic Alliance (DA) this week, claiming they are responsible for crime reduction in Khayelitsha, outside Cape Town.
Firstly, no political party irrespective of its political credentials can claim responsibility for reducing crime as they do not have operational control over the South African Police Service (SAPS). The SAPS are responsible for preventing, investigating and reducing crime.
Secondly, we note that both Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha were declared Presidential stations in early 2000. At the time, government announced an Urban Renewal Programme that looked at crime prevention through creating upgrading of communities and solid law enforcement.
Thirdly, the Department of Community Safety which in 2000 was not under the patronage of DA, together with SAPS initiated a project to investigate the allocation and deployment of resources at Khayelitsha police station. To this end, a provincial task team was established. This team produced a report that was implemented by SAPS and this change in management strategy assisted greatly with the repositioning of dealing with crime from a policing point of view.
The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa stated: “Crime is not a static phenomenon and therefore is subject to be influenced through displacements and crime control programmes. For this political party to claim the project’s success as theirs is insincere.”
“We reject their attempt to claim easy victories as misleading, opportunistic and setting up a narrow political propaganda that is devoid of integrity. Credit must be given where it is due. No political party can make this claim as any crime reduction and success remains the hard and smart work by police and the Khayelitsha community.”
According to information at SAPS disposal, such an improvement and radical change in crime statistics in Khayelitsha has greatly been reduced due to the fact that the Macassar satellite police station, based in Harare was transformed into a fully fledged police station. More importantly, proper coordination, partnership and willingness by the communities of Khayelitsha prepared the basis for the reduction of crime in the area, not the DA.
Coincidentally, when the police leadership provided the public with the 2010 FIFA World Cup post security plan briefing on 15 July 2010 in Pretoria, the Minister dedicated the success to the police, several key departments and South Africans in general. At no point did Minister Mthethwa single out any political party, something the DA can take a cue from. The Ministry salutes these unsung SAPS heroes, who tirelessly work with no expectation of glorification, but through putting their community’s interest above their own. When they dirty their hands they do so with no expectation of consummate reward but propelled by courage to serve their country.
For enquiries, please contact:
Zweli Mnisi
Cell: 082 045 4024
