North West Premier, Maureen Modiselle says her province is moving with speed in strengthening the institutional machinery to deal with corruption in the government.
Speaking during her State of the Province Address on Friday, Premier Modiselle said in the next two months the province will be starting a process to recruit new staff to resuscitate the forensic investigations unit in the Premier’s office.
“This unit lost highly experienced and competent personnel who went to National Treasury and other provincial governments, as a result this it could not function effectively,” Premier Modiselle added.
“The office of the Premier shall give all the assistance required to ensure that our public service is cleansed of any corruption,” she said.
She also said that all cases which have remained dormant following the transfer of the unit from the Department of Finance in the past three years shall be reopened to assess whether successful prosecution can still be achieved.
Modiselle highlighted that they will also be resuscitating the North West anti corruption forum.
“This forum represents a dynamic co-operation and integration between government, civil society and private sector in advocacy programs to create a non-tolerance culture for corruption in our communities,” she added.
“There will be no place to hide for corrupt officials in the public sector,” she emphasised.
She also said the province has adopted a principled policy position, not anyone shall be involved in any form of defence for any officials charged with corruption.
With regard to the safety and security of the communities, Modiselle said they have taken a decision to establish a stand-alone public safety department.
Premier Modiselle further extended her condolences to the families of the six police reservists who died in a car accident near Tlhabane over the last weekend. “Our banners are lowered as we pay tribute to these committed young people who left us when they still had a lot to give to this province,” she cited.
Modiselle further said government is worried about the spate of farm killings and other related crimes afflicting the farming communities. She said the province will develop a specific intervention program to increase the safety levels of both farmers and farm workers.
Modiselle further said indigent rural communities who depend on their livestock for survival are facing ever increasing threat of stock theft. “Lack of proper policing coverage particularly in rural areas has created a cover for criminals operating in these areas to perpetuate their crimes with impunity. Community participation in crime fighting remains one of the effective methods of policing and prosecution of perpetrators of crime,” she said.
Modiselle added that government will find funds to inject into policing forums and street committees to empower our communities in their endeavour to work together with government to create safer communities.
“We have set ourselves the objective to accelerate efforts to reduce serious and violent crimes in line with the set national target of 7% to 10% per annum,” she said.
In addition, Ms Modiselle highlighted that there are a more and pressing needs to intensify efforts on crimes against women and children.
For more information contact:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Tel: 018 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
E-mail: cmonama@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
12 June 2009
