Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Sibongile Manana has called on government structures to constantly give information to communities to avoid dissatisfaction and unnecessary protests.
Speaking at an Imbizo at Wesselton in Ermelo on Sunday Manana conceded that lack of knowledge created uncertainty amongst the people who ended up revolting against government. She said some people do not know certain government structures, their functions and how to access their services.
Manana tasked the Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster departments and councillors to regularly give feedback on progress made regarding expected services. The JCPS cluster consists of the following departments; Correctional Services, Home Affairs, State Security, Justice and Constitutional Developments, South African Police Service (SAPS) led by the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison.
She said Justice and Constitutional Developments needed to educate people how the judicial system works since people usually complained about immediate release of suspects.
“People complain that police arrest criminals and the following day, those suspects are seen roaming the streets without any explanation. People are not even informed about why their cases are scrapped from the roll.
“Some officials send people from pillar to post when applying for services without indicating to them the necessary requirements for successful processing of documents such as identity books, birth certificates and other services ,” said MEC Manana.
She explained that such behaviour by officials led to people becoming frustrated and resorted to violence during service delivery protests. Manana said it was worthless for government to repeatedly interact with communities but not implementing or rendering services needed by the communities.
“We must refrain from making false promises that we fail to deliver on because this compromises the credibility of government. These events are not talk shows, people expect a lot from us, we must move with speed in delivering services. Next time we go to communities, people will fight with us,” said Manana.
The Provincial Community Policing Forum (CPF) Board Chairperson Mandla Mphuthi said there was no need for communities to discuss such issues with the MEC, because it should have been raised with ward councillors. He encouraged the people to join CPF and be part of sector policing.
Meanwhile, SAPS Acting Provincial Commissioner Rex Machabi advised people that if they were not adequately assisted by police members, communities should contact station commissioners. He said incompetent police officers could be removed or transferred to other places. He added that people should report crime to the local satellite police station, as that would determine the need to build a police station.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4955
Cell: 082 678 1450
Issued by: Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
17 August 2009
Source: Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mpumalanga Provincial Government (http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za/safety_and_security/home.asp)
