The South African Police Service (SAPS) has recently allocated 32 additional police vehicles to its rural farming police stations as part of implementing its Rural Safety Strategy. The SAPS provincial management reported to the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Public Safety & Liaison during its sitting in the North West Provincial Legislature on Tuesday that it will continue to allocate resources in an endeavour to fight crime in rural areas.
The Rural Safety Strategy seeks to ensure improved safety and security within the total rural environment and further improve relations with the farming communities. The strategy also strives to ensure a proactive and rapid reactive response to the community among others.
Farm patrollers have thus far been established in areas such as Brits, Swartruggens, Hartbeesfontein, and Hartbeespoortdam as part of the adopted sector approach and facilitation of implementation of farm watches.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo said that despite the challenge of limited resources, management has put in place systems to ensure that available resources are used effectively and efficiently in order to maintain visibility at all times in both rural and urban areas.
General Mbombo expressed confidence that through the resuscitation of dysfunctional Community policing forums, police will succeed in their effort to reduce crime in rural areas and create safer environments.
Meanwhile Provincial MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety & Liaison, Ms Desbo Mohono assured the portfolio committee that plans are in place to step up security at Tshidilamolomo, Disaneng, Makgobistad and other border posts.
MEC Mohono said that her department is working hand in hand with the Department of Agriculture in the province on cross border stock theft especially along the South Africa-Botswana borderline.
Mohono commended SAPS for the arrest of gangsters, drug syndicates involving foreign nationals in Kanana, Potchiefstroom, Klerkdorp and other areas. She said that resounding successes were achieved due to joint operations and partnership with the Department of Home Affairs.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 391 0420
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
