Rural safety, which encompasses protection of the farming community (farmers and workers), rural areas, addressing stock theft as well as strengthening of partnerships between police and communities, will be high on the agenda this weekend when the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa embarks on community participation programmes around KwaZulu-Natal.
The Minister, accompanied by senior police officials from the province, will engage and address a rural safety indaba involving representatives from AgriSA, farming community, Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) as well as members of the community. The first of such engagements began in Gauteng last year, and the ministry has since been criss-crossing the country.
Our main objective with the rural safety plan, is to respond to the safety and security needs of the rural community within South Africa but also ensure an effective and sustainable policing approach. In this context it needs to be clearly understood that rural safety is not limited to farming community only, but extends to broader communities living in rural areas i.e. farmers, farm workers, organised community structures, vulnerable women and children, etc.
Details of the community participation programmes are as follows:
Date: Saturday, 9 April 2011
Venue: Nyezane Community Hall, in the Mbabazane area, Escort
Time: 09h00
Date: Sunday, 10 April 2011
Venue: Vryheid Town Hall, Vryheid
Time: 09h00
Members of the media are invited. There will also be opportunities for one on one interviews.
Enquiries:
Zweli Mnisi
Cell: 082 045 4024
