The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa will embark on provincial police service delivery-programme focusing on the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units in Northern Cape, the attacks on foreign nationals in the Western Cape as well as the gang-related violence in Gauteng.
The interactions will include holding meetings with community leaders from different structures, including members of the Community Policing Forums as well as provincial police management. The purpose of these engagements is, in the main, to find solutions to some of the recent crimes experienced in these provinces and to strengthen, enhance and improve police-community relations.
Minister Mthethwa announced the reintroduction of the FCS units two years ago and these units are aimed at helping improve the ability of the SAPS to offer specialised investigations to crimes against women, children and the elderly. We have been on a crusade in various communities across the country to hear first-hand frustrations and suggestions from the communities. As we develop and improve our policies, we need to ensure that they respond and address the needs of our communities, particularly around drug and gang-related violence.
As a ministry we consider communities to be equal partners in the fight against crime, and it remains our view that through constant dialogue, we can all defeat the scourge of crime. We therefore urge communities to report crime immediately as opposed to resorting to vigilantism. Below is the Minister’s itinerary:
1. Meeting with FCS units in the Northern Cape province
Date: Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Venue: NG Kerk Krygskool, Diskobolos Army Base SANDF, Kimberley
Time: Media briefing at 11h00, thereafter Minister will go for walkabout at Diamond Pavilion Mall and Craven Street Taxi Rank
2. Meeting with communities and stakeholders around xenophobic attacks and mob justice in Khayelitsha, Western Cape
Date: Thursday, 29 March 2012
Venue: Khayelitsha Resource Centre, opposite Lingelethu West Police Station
Time: Meeting starts at 14h00
3. Community imbizo on gang-related violence around Reiger Park, Gauteng
Date: Thursday, 30 March 2012
Venue: Harvest Time Dome, corner Sannie and Princess Avenue, Claremont, Gauteng
Time: Meeting starts at 14h00
Members of the media are invited.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Zweli Mnisi
Cell: 082 045 4024
