R Ndou: Opening of Muswodi Satellite Police Station

3 August 2006

Head of Department, Mr Thobakgale
Provincial Commissioner Sengani
Deputy Provincial Commissioner Binta
Area Commissioner Van Wyk
Area Commissioner Maepa
Transnet Foundation representatives
Mahosi
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen

It is a great honour and pleasure for me to be part of this significant day
in the lives of the local communities. The opening of this satellite station
marks a new beginning in service delivery and the intensification of the fight
against crime in this area. This day also marks a milestone in the history of
people from villages such as Tshiungani one (1) and Tshiungani two (2),
commonly known as Mabvete, Madimbo, Folovhodwe, Muswodi Dipeni and Muswodi
Tshisimani, since the era of walking long distances to access service and
report cases at Tshamutumbu Police Station will now become a thing of the
past.

This is clear testimony of government's commitment to deliver much-needed
safety and security for all. Gone are those days when the resources of
government were only accessed by a minority.

Programme Director, it is our sincere belief and hope that this satellite
station will lead to crime reduction in this area, particularly serious crimes
like ritual killings, rape, and women and child abuse, which are currently
affecting the entire province.

Our province is faced with the challenge of dealing with a long list of
ritual murders in the Vhembe area, and missing persons, mostly children in the
Waterberg district. Last week I visited some of the families at Modimolle,
which have children who recently disappeared without a trace. It was
heartbreaking to learn that eleven children disappeared in Phagameng and
Phomolong over a period of one year. This is unacceptable. As a society we need
to do more to win the battle against all forms of crime.

I hope this station will also assist in creating a healthy atmosphere to
build a close relationship between the police and communities. It is therefore
imperative that the station fosters close relations with the community through
the Community Policing Forums (CPFs) and other initiatives; work closely with
local government as well as our department.

As I indicated in my speech two weeks ago during the police passing out
parade at the Thohoyandou Stadium, the formation of stronger CPFs can only be
attained provided the structures comprise various sectors of our society. It is
vital that our traditional leaders, business and religious formations have
ex-officio representatives in the CPFs. The representatives can play a vital
role in the strengthening of trust and flow of information between the
community and the police. That can assist in solving most of the cases in the
province.

Key to effective crime prevention is creating an environment that makes it
difficult for the propagation of criminal activities in all our communities. I
encourage our communities in the townships to form street committees. These
structures play an integral part in ensuring that their localities are safe and
secure. During the dark days of apartheid, the street committees were
effectively used by our communities to deal with issues that affect them.

For our police to succeed in their efforts to bring the cycle of crime to a
halt without delay, it is imperative that they become more proactive. Police
need to build good relations with the community. If a sustainable trust between
the police and the civilians is built, it will assist police in their
information gathering process to solve cases.

Programme Director, this satellite police station comes into being at the
time when our entire country is preparing to mark the 50th Anniversary of
national Women's Day on 9 August. Our people will be marching from Strijdom
Square to Union Buildings to commemorate the bravery shown by women of this
country when they marched to Union Buildings. The women were protesting against
unjust laws of apartheid that oppressed women of this country.

I appeal to members of this station to prioritise the protection of women
and children as they are often the hardest hit by various forms of criminality.
The victims must be made to feel at home at all times in this station. Indeed,
high levels of discipline within the service are critical to the successful
functioning of this station and we urge all the members to work closely with
one another and co-operate with management in order to achieve that
objective.

Accountability and transparency should be the hallmark of all these
accomplishments. I take this opportunity to wish all members success in their
endeavours to create a safe and secure environment for the community.

I also encourage members of communities, especially from remote area, to use
our toll free line (0800 54 67 67), to assist us in improving service delivery
by the police.

I would like to thank the Transnet Foundation for its generous donation that
made the establishment of this facility a reality. I call on other businesses
to follow in the footsteps of the Transnet Foundation. I would also like to
thank the organisers of this function who have directly or indirectly made this
event the success it is.

Let's join hands to fight crime!
NDAAA!

Issued by: Limpopo Provincial Government
3 August 2006
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government (http://www.limpopo.gov.za)