Pule, on the occasion of the first Anniversary of Afrika Concept at
Kwaggafontein Stadium
14 December 2006
Mayor of Thembisile Municipality Councillor W Nkosi
Mayor of the Nkangala District Municipality Speedy Mashilo
Head of Department Ndaba Mkhize
Provincial Commissioner Afrika Khumalo
Deputy Provincial Commissioners
Area Commissioners
Senior Managers of the Civilian Secretariat
We have travelled a year into creating a safe and secure Mpumalanga that
belongs to all. Mpumalanga that protects women and children and all its
citizens are intolerant of crime. Looking back, we have come a long way. A long
way from where the police never responded to the cries of the people. A long
way in which our police officers told people how they will be policed and they
had no say in their safety.
Today as we look back, we can be proud and say surely Mpumalanga is turning
into a policing model for the country. The young girls of KaMsogwaba and Vosman
are beginning to smile as the rapist gets sentenced to 15 years in prison. The
young orphan knows that he also will be like other children, as officers of the
law will give him something to wear and eat.
Today we have to ask ourselves that what is it that we are doing to fight
crime. What role are we playing? Are we these parents who have abdicated all
responsibility and say the police will see? The Afrika concept has assisted us
understand why men who are trusted go out and violate those they claim to love
and should protect. It has made us understand why young men who are supposed to
nourish and look after the elderly go out of their way to rob and steal from
the elderly. It has made us understand that the fight against crime is for all
of us. It has made us understand that citizens need to shun the rapist; parents
need not to care about the son that maim and rob.
It is high time that as communities of Mpumalanga we take a stand, that we
will have nothing to do with the criminal and that we will not accept anything
that has been stolen. We should take a stand and say if my child is arrested I
will not have anything to do with him, putting aside the innocent till proven
guilty, as a worthy child will not be suspected.
We continue to place emphasis on the people working together with the
police. The results of this approach speak for themselves as major crimes are
on a decline and this is the only manner you can address social crimes. But
others amongst us are saying that we have not seen this decline. They say that
we cannot go anywhere without risking to be mugged.
They say that the police are not helpful and collude with criminals. They
tell everyone who can listen what bad service they have received at the hands
of the police. They complain about the non-functioning community police forums
(CPF) and structures in the community. Through the Afrika concept we are
changing the face of policing in our province.
We are going back to the basics of policing, most resources will be
allocated to areas where there are serious crime problems. With this concept we
want to make sure that even the elderly women of Digwale do come into contact
with a police officer on a regular basis. People must see a police vehicle even
when there is no problem. We are building a caring police service centred on
the needs of the people.
We have had enough about how bad a service our officers are providing; from
now on we want to hear what a good service our officers are providing. We want
to see smiles when you talk about the police. Equally through the Provincial
Crime Prevention Framework you also have a big role to play in preventing
crime. You will have to participate in the crime prevention structures that
have been created. Together with you we are going to address the root causes of
crime in our villages. All will now adopt a zero tolerance approach to crime;
all of us must I say no more crime in my village. Let us meet government's
commitment to fight crime pound for pound.
During this festive season we must guard our children, let us at all times
know where they are and with whom and what they are doing there. As villages
and communities let us remember that it takes a village to raise a child, that
every child I meet in the street is my own, whatever happens to it is my
responsibility.
As our men and women in blue have rededicated themselves to fighting crime
innovatively and decisively, equally as communities, let us recommit ourselves
to deal decisively with those who steal, rape, rob and abuse women and
children. As parents let us recommit ourselves to look after the young drug
addicts.
Let today go to the dark corners of our hearts and remind us that my brother
is my keeper, that I also have a role to play in fighting crime. Let the memory
of those who have died in the line of duty galvanise us to act against
crime.
It is time that smiles will have to be written on the faces of our people
when they speak about the police service. This concept is their hope, it is our
resolve and it is but one step towards the realisation of the people's
aspirations as adopted in 1955 and today's generation look forward to their
realisation.
Criminals be warned: your actions will no longer be go unpunished. We are
meeting fire with fire. We will not stand by as you cause mayhem, you will pay
the supreme price, and your lives are at stake. We are committed to a crime
free festive season and we will use all the means at our disposal to reach this
goal.
I thank you!
Issued by: Department of Safety and Security, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
14 December 2006
