The Deputy Minister of Police, Ms SotyuThe Premier of the Free State, Mr Magashule
The Acting MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Mr Zwane
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS, Lieutenant General Sitole
The Acting Director General of the Free State Provincial Government, Mr Ralikonsane
The Executive Mayor, Mr Manyoni
Religious leaders present
All other distinguished dignitaries
My SAPS colleagues
Ladies and Gentlemen
Thank you for the opportunity to voice the South African Police Service’s support of this initiative. It is clear to all of us that the Free State Provincial Government is serious about addressing the root causes of crime and other underlying contributory factors.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is therefore proud to support the Free State Crime Prevention Strategy. We pledge to play our part in line with our Constitutional responsibilities.
The strategy that is being launched here today, inter-links with the White Paper on Safety and Security and all other major strategies of Government. These include the National Development Plan, the National Crime Prevention Strategy, the Drug Master Plan and the Social Crime Prevention Strategy.
Programme Director, we will end the day by witnessing the demolition of some dilapidated buildings in Heidedal. As the police, we have identified more than 100 similar buildings in the Free State which must be demolished. This exercise is a bold and practical demonstration of how an integrated crime prevention strategy is supposed to work. The demolition sends out a clear signal that as a collective, we will remove all opportunities for criminal behaviour to fester among our communities. For this, I applaud you.
Following in your footsteps, I will therefore also be bold and practical. Premier Magashule, as the police, we would like to see the space that has now been created by the demolished buildings, being put to good use. Let it be developed for the benefit and advancement of the communities. If it is left undeveloped, then it might fall in the hands of illegal settlers and other types of criminals.
By working together, we will create an environment where the police can police. By that I mean, hunt down the criminals, respond to emergencies, protect members of the community and not be burdened with addressing the underlying societal issues.
In order for us to prevent crime; all role players and stakeholders must work in a united fashion. Communities, business and civil society must come together and leverage on each other’s resources and capabilities. The practical demonstration by this Province’s collaborative efforts epitomises a recipe for success in the fight against crime. We should not only rely on activating the SAPS to combat or investigate crimes which we could have prevented had we collaborated.
Broadly speaking, some of the priority crimes receiving attention countrywide include gender based violence and sexual offences, murder and serious assault, drugs, illegal mining, burglary at residential and business premises, carjacking, as well as stock theft. The SAPS has invested a lot of effort in addressing these crimes. However, this has to be complemented with measures that all stakeholders should take to prevent the commission of these crimes.
Again, let me be practical. If the police identify an area as a rape hot spot, consideration must be given by all role players as to what measures can be put in place to address the underlying contributory factors.
For example, cutting the grass, erecting a fence, setting up spotlights and closing down illegal taverns would go a long way into assisting us. Executive Mayor, I'm certain you will agree with me that local governments have a vital role to play in this respect. I believe the same can be said about stakeholder collaboration in dealing with issues such as service delivery protests, illegal mining and illegal immigrants.
One of the scourges receiving high-level attention within SAPS is the proliferation of illegal firearms. Towards the end of this month, we will be destroying thousands of firearms, ammunition and firearm parts. By removing these weapons from circulation, we will be contributing significantly to the prevention of serious and violent crimes such as murder and aggravated robbery.
Ladies and gentlemen, our well-intentioned plans can never come to fruition while corruption thrives in our midst. I am happy to announce that I will soon be launching an Anti-Corruption Unit within the South African Police Service. The aim is to relentlessly pursue corrupt employees within our organisation and to root-out the criminal elements.
In conclusion, I wish to assure you that the South Africa Police Service is fully behind the Free State Province’s Crime Prevention Strategy. The Free State is leading the way and I sincerely hope to see all other Provinces do the same.
Distinguished guests, I now have the honour and privilege of introducing our honourable Deputy Minister of Police, Honourable Mokhotso Maggie Sotyu. Our Deputy Minister is representing the Ministry of Police and we are looking forward to hearing her thoughts and views on the Free State Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy.
I thank you.
