Minister of Police, Mr Mthethwa
MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr Shongwe
Provincial Commissioner Ntobela and Deputy Provincial Commissioners
Station commander of the Mbuzini police station and members
Honoured guests
Ladies and gentlemen
I wish to extend my sincere appreciation for having been invited to take part in this event in which we embrace the Batho Pele principle of “People First”.
By building the Mbuzini police station, we are empowering the community as we are making our services more easily accessible to them. It is expected of all Governments departments to ensure that quality services are rendered to the community. The Department of Police has made a priority of ensuring that those services are freely available and easily accessible.
A member of the community’s first encounter with a police official usually takes place at a police station, where they lay a complaint or seek assistance. This makes the police station the very heart of the policing system. The type of service that the community member receives, will leave a lasting impression and can, therefore, either make or break the image of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in that person’s mind.
For this reason, the station commander and members of Mbuzini Police Station have a responsibility to ensure that they at all times perform their duties in line with our Code of Conduct.
I am sure that all police members present are fully aware of the wording of the SAPS Code of Conduct, but for our distinguished guests, I would like to extract a few lines which should always be in a police officer’s mind:
“I undertake to:
- Act with integrity in rendering an effective service of a high standard which is accessible to everybody, and continuously strive towards improving this service.
- Act in a manner that is impartial, courteous, honest, respectful, transparent and accountable.
- Exercise the powers conferred upon me in a responsible and controlled manner; and work towards preventing any form of corruption and to bring the perpetrators thereof to justice”.
I don’t think that it is necessary to expand on that, as those words most definitely say it all.
I would also like to urge the community to take an active role in the Community Policing Forum as this mechanism is their opportunity to have a say in policing in this area. We need the support and cooperation of each and every person, in whatever small way possible, to succeed in weeding out the criminals. I have been told that housebreakings (at both residential and business premises), armed robberies at local shops and rape are some of the crimes that are plaguing this community. By working together, we can identify and arrest those responsible and ensure that this community is stable, safe and productive.
As the festive season fast approaches, I want to thank the police members in advance for the extra duties they will have to perform and the longer hours they will have to work. It is not easy to be working while others are relaxing with their families. I can assure you that both police management and the citizens of this country recognise and appreciate your dedication.
I look forward to visiting this police station again and hearing of the good work and deeds of our police officials, the men and women in blue.
I will conclude with a quote from Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”.
