The days of moaning, ivory tower and armchair criticism about high levels of crime instead of being actively involved in the fight against crime are over, North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa declared during the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Policing Budget Vote Debate in Cape Town on Thursday afternoon.
“The endorsement of our call, ‘Working together we can do more, better’ through the ballot by an overwhelming majority of our people supported the notion of an active citizenry and nor a passive citizenry” MEC Yawa highlighted.
According to Yawa, the involvement of youth, Community Policing Forums in the Rustenburg cluster area and the Provincial Chapter of Business against Crime in crime prevention and traffic law enforcement operations leading to and during the FIFA Confederation Cup matches hosted at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium contributed to the resounding success of the operations. 216 people were arrested for various crimes and various suspected stolen properties, vehicles, illegal drugs, precious stones, firearms and ammunition were recovered. 102 motorists were also issued with traffic fines for violation of road traffic regulations and undocumented foreigners arrested.
“We are encouraged by the patriotism and selfless dedication of over 5 000 youth that are participating in our volunteer programme against crime as reservists. The enthusiasm of our youth, street committees and Community Policing Forums testifies that our people are yearning for effective, accountable and democratic policing,” Yawa added.
He assured the NCOP that his department and the police will strengthen partnership with the Department of Education and respective school governing bodies for implementation of adopt a cop, little commissioner and operation naughty boy strategies to reclaim schools from drug dealers that seek to destroy valued future leaders, i.e. children and youth.
“We will ensure that there is no hole big enough for drug dealers to hide as part of intensifying our collaborative efforts to uproot them from schools, streets and communities.”
Meanwhile, MEC Yawa is to table his department’s Policy Statement and Budget Speech in the North West Provincial Legislature on Wednesday afternoon next week.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 9164
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
