The latest crime statistics released by the Minister of Police, Mr Nathi Mthethwa indicate that Limpopo has less crime compared to the rest of South Africa's eight provinces. The Province has once more been declared the safest of all the nine provinces. The situation has been like this for years as a result of commitment shown by members of the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS). Although most crimes are on a downward spiral, the cluster is deeply concerned about the increase in substance abuse crimes.
The public drinking statistics for 2010 show a disturbing trend of 14% increase or 28 661 cases since 2009. All four districts have contributed to this increase with the exception of Sekhukhune. Drug related crimes which include dealing in mandrax, heroin, cocaine and dagga also prove to be on the increase with 398 cases reported since 2009.
JCPS cluster member departments including para-statals have made huge progress in implementing their 2011/12 Programmes of Action. The cluster members have consolidated and analysed the progress report for the first quarter in terms of the six targets approved by the Executive Council (EXCO).
The six targets are aimed at improving the safety and security situation in the country and Limpopo in particular.
The JCPS cluster members have worked very hard to reduce the overall levels of reported cases. The Cluster, through the Department of Safety, Security and Liaison embarked on a series of community mobilisation campaigns which targeted policing clusters with higher crime prevalence. So far community stakeholder mobilisation programmes have taken place in Musina (Vhembe), Thohoyandou (Vhembe), Mankweng (Capricorn), Mokwakwaila (Mopani) and Seshego (Capricorn).
In addition to this effort, School safety visits and campaigns were conducted in 659 schools as part of measures to reduce crime in our schools. 56 556 children were reached through Substance Abuse prevention programme. Three Community Safety Forum (CSF) workshops were conducted in Mopani, Vhembe and Sekhukhune Districts. In overall 667 communities were reached through various anti-crime community mobilisation campaigns during the first quarter.
The high number of deaths on our roads is a cause for grave concern. This unnecessary loss of lives led to the Cluster to come up with a target of reducing road fatalities by 7%.
The report shows that there is still a challenge in this area as road fatalities increased from 161 to 190 which is 1.1% compared to the same period in 2010/11. The Department of Roads and Transport is in the process of introducing a shift system and the deployment of Traffic officials in identified high risk areas to ensure effective law enforcement.
The JCPS Cluster is also committed to ensure that there is an effective, efficient and integrated criminal justice system. In line with this objective the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development established one backlog court in April 2011 in Polokwane. The E-docket system is being piloted in Denilton, Jane Furse, Thohoyandou, Botlokwa, Orightstad, Modimolle, Polokwane, and Roosenekal stations.
The Cluster through the Department of Health and Social Development has done a good job in providing services to victims of crime. Victim support services were provided to 4 205 victims of domestic violence while 30 Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) awareness campaigns were conducted. The Department of Social Development managed to assess 636 children in conflict with the law in terms of the Child Justice Act. Meanwhile 47% (300) of the children assessed were placed in secure care centres. About 116 cases were finalised through diversion programmes. Training on advanced VEP was provided to 200 volunteers who received basic training in the previous financial year.
The influx of undocumented people into South Africa through Limpopo borders and corruption at ports of entry, compelled the cluster to develop strategies aimed at improving Effective and Integrated Border Management.
There were 56 joint operations conducted out of the 144 from the annual target which is 39% achievement. Anti-corruption awareness workshop for border post officials was conducted and 33 officials were reached.
The Border Control Coordinating Committee (BCOCC) identified members at the ports of entry to establish the human trafficking response team. The ports of entries processed 2 905 Asylum seekers during the first quarter. These Asylum seekers were from Somalia, Democratic of Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
We have been highly encouraged by the recent crime statistics in our province, and are confident that through hard work and commitment corruption including bribery by officials within the JCPS will be eradicated.
We also wish to place it on record that we have taken leave of the Provincial Commissioner Lt-Gen Mashigo with effect from 1 October 2011. He has left the SAPD after 34 years of dedicated service. He has done well for both the province and the country. We wish him well in his future endeavours.
Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major-General Ntlemeza has been appointed acting Provincial Commissioner effective from 1 October 2011. The process to find a permanent replacement is at an advanced level and an appointment will be made after due processes shall have run their course.
Maj-Gen Ntlemeza has our undivided support as Provincial Commissioner in pursuit of our mission to make Limpopo a safe haven for citizens and visitors to our province.
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Molebatsi Masedi
Tel: 015 290 2912
Cell: 083 647 8818
E-mail: molebatsim@dssl.limpopo.gov.za
