North West MEC for the Department of Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Ms Desbo Mohono has pleaded with the public from across the Bojanala District Municipality to report all crime and corrupt activities taking place within areas they live in.
The plea was made from MEC Mohono’s speech read on her behalf at the Provincial Justice Crime Prevention and Security (PJCPS) community engagement session held in partnership with criminal justice stakeholders, at Ben Marais Hall in Rustenburg recently.
Mohono said breaking the silence will weed out elements within the criminal system that are in various acts of crime.
“To us not reporting crimes and coming forward in helping police, makes us see it as equally constituting to committing the very same crime we are talking about,” said the MEC.
Mohono said the partnership between her department, criminal justice stakeholders and communities at large will intensify the fight against crime and further made a plea to the communities to have the required trust and believe to the police.
“They (police) will also do their utmost best to see to it that all those who are committing these crimes are behind bars.”
She further urged police to update complainants on progress in their investigation of cases they had reported to them.
“Doing so would not be granting anyone an undeserved favour but would be respecting citizens’ constitutional right to administrative justice in line with the principle of democratic, accountable policing and the philosophy of community-centred policing to which the government subscribes,” stressed Mohono who said that the war against crime is winnable.
Although community members appreciated the gesture by the department, other members of the Rustenburg North community raised their concern about a tavern that operates in front of a school. According to the residents a petition was signed by several community members and their efforts in engaging liquor board, but nothing has been done as yet. They called on the department to fast track the process of closing the tavern as there are also allegations of drug dealings going at the same tavern.
Meanwhile the Rustenburg Cluster Commander, Lieutenant General Patrick Asaneng confirmed that he is aware of the said tavern and has engaged the owners. He said that matter is still under investigation and anticipate that as soon as all stakeholders including liquor board have been consulted, its then that action could be taken by the police and the municipality.
The community engagement sessions were informed by a general observation that communities lack information with regards to how the criminal justice system works which impacts negatively on service delivery.
Through these sessions, the department in partnership with relevant criminal justice stakeholders intends to promote cooperation and form partnership between the police and the communities, and among sector departments, civil society, provincial and local levels around crime prevention initiatives.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 391 0420
Fax: 018 381 0328
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Break the silence to turn the tide against crime and corruption - MEC Mohono
Province
