9 June 2006
The MEC for Community Safety in Gauteng Firoz Cachalia presented a detailed
statement on how the budget of his department will be utilised for the
financial year 2006/07 at the Gauteng Legislature.
MEC Cachalia outlined the priority areas of the department which include the
launch of the Provincial and Road Safety Plans. The Provincial Safety Plan is
not a plan for the department but a plan that will provide a framework for a
social compact against crime.
Cachalia called upon business, members of the civil society, unions and the
public in general to join government in the fight against crime.
"Let us recognise that a committed government needs the support of an
engaged community," said Cachalia.
The MEC also announced that the department of Community Safety was to expand
its volunteer programme to include other areas of safety as currently its focus
is on victim empowerment.
He said the current financial year will also see the launch of social
movement which brings all sectors of society, urban and rural communities,
communities of all backgrounds and political affiliations together in a common
fight against crime.
"There is a strong willingness from many communities to become involved in
practical activities that could lead to a sustained reduction in crime,"
said the MEC.
He said the 2010 World Cup provides the country with an opportunity to
improve development and security levels.
"We also have the opportunity that the Soccer World Cup will afford us in
2010, to focus all the people of Gauteng on the common goal of ensuring that we
have improved safety in this province," said Cachalia.
The department will also be approaching various celebrities including sports
stars, actors and musicians to become activists in the fight against
crime.
Trade unions, the business sector, women's organisations, youth groups,
religious organisations and civil society will also be approached to join the
social movement against crime.
The department will also be investing in an integrated information
management system for traffic management and crime prevention. A key component
of this centre will be an Integrated Management System which will centralise
all information relating to road accidents, fatalities and crime trends in the
province.
This will provide the province with the ability to identify hazardous
locations and respond far more quickly than has so far been the case. "This
system will also allow us to identify changing crime patterns on an ongoing
basis so that we can better assess police responsiveness and performance to
addressing crime challenges within each station precinct," said Cachalia.
The MEC also indicated that a change of leadership at the Booysens police
station was being considered. On 6 September 2005 the television program
Special Assignment on SABC 3 exposed corruption by members of the Booysens
police station who were soliciting bribes from foreign nationals in exchange
for their freedom. The MEC held a meeting on 15 September 2005 with members of
the community who indicated that they were unhappy with overall service
delivery and corruption at the station.
While the MEC identified problems at the Booysens police station, he heaped
praised on the changes that had taken place at the Yeoville police
station.
"I want to give a special mention to the Yeoville police station because I
believe that it provides us with a good example of what can be achieved when
the community works with the police to fight crime," said the MEC.
The station has new management, the client service centre is totally
transformed so that a professional service is available to members of the
community, and crime levels in the area have gone down. Plans to build a new
police station in this area are in place and we are in the process of trying to
unblock various building hurdles. Other areas that can expect new or upgraded
police stations are:
* Duduza
* Eersterus
* Thokoza
* Mamelodi East
The MEC also gave an update on some high profile cases, these include triple
murder of women employees of the Protea dry cleaners in Vereeniging and the
case of the two Mbhele sisters, Nelisiwe and Lindiwe who were murdered in June
last year. He indicated that it should be made clear that it was not over for
both cases.
Cachalia also said that police had to be fully resourced to deal with public
order. He said we ca not in 2010 have a police service that relies on rubber
bullets to control crowds.
The MEC said that the province had managed to stabilise taxi violence
through the conflict resolution strategy and stakeholder engagement. There are
however still certain areas that are problematic. Cachalia mentioned the
Greater Germiston area where five people died in taxi-related violence since
March this year.
For more information contact:
Phumla Sekhonyane
Tel: (011) 689 3633
Cell: 082 909 3708
Issued by: Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Provincial
Government
9 June 2006
