GPL Portfolio Committee on Community Safety against the Provincial Commissioner's suspention of Community Policy Forums
The Chairperson of the Community Safety Portfolio Committee of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), Hon. Sochayile Khanyile, notes the report by the Provincial Commissioner instructing police stations to suspend Community Policing Forums (CPF) until further notice.
As an independent body of State empowered by the Constitution to carry out an oversight and scrutiny mandate over provincial government and related institutions, the GPL has instruments in place for effective oversight.
Part of these instruments is the Standing Rules of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature which are based on the provisions of the Constitution-Section 133. The Standing Rules provide that “the Legislature must scrutinize and oversee the exercise of Provincial Executive Authority and Provincial organs of State”.
The GPL therefore does not agree with the Provincial Commissioner’s decision to suspend CPFs, taking into consideration their primary role as legislated in terms of Section 18 and 19 of the South African Police Service Act.
As part of its oversight mandate, the Committee also looks at provincial priorities which include the monitoring and evaluation of police conduct and service efficiency.
The Committee reaffirmed that the GPL would continue to conduct oversight over the Gauteng Department of Community Safety and other related organs of State as stated by the Constitution.
For more information/ interview request please contact:
Mr Sochayile Khanyile
Tel: 011 498 5793
Cell: 071 687 6732
E-mail: SKhanyile@gpl.gov.za
