Deputy Police Minister Mme Sotyu
EC for Safety and Liaison Rre Molapisi
Provincial Commissioner of the host province, Lt Gen Mbombo
Divisional and Provincial Commissioners in attendance
Cluster and Station Commanders
Representatives of POPCRU/SAPU
Chairpersons of the Provincial and Station CPFs
Leaders from business and civic organisations present
The community of Wolmaransstad
Community and faith-based organisations
Members of the media
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning and welcome to everyone present here today. Thank you for affording me the opportunity to be here and address you today. In the name of service delivery and power to people’s development and transformation, the South African government developed principles for transforming public service delivery. E bidiwa Batho Pele… People first.
Being such a large organisation, with close to 200 000 employees and with more than 1 000 police stations countrywide, it is fair to say that the SAPS maybe considered to be the major service delivery point for the Government.
A police station is central in the police administration system as well as the efforts to keep communities safe and secure.
Deputy Minister, I am certain that together with everyone gathered here, you will agree that when you enter a police station, you would expect speedy and professional service. You would not expect to find police officers chatting at the top of their voices about the result of the latest soccer match or blowing chewing gum in your face and looking as if they are assisting you but doing so reluctantly. Maphodisa a tshwanetse go thusa Setshaba.
Re tshwanetse go dira ka thata gore re tle re bositse serodumo sa sephodisa ko se kileng sa ba teng. Ba ba nang le nako e ntsi ba direla sephodisa, ba tla dumelana le nna fa kere go kile ga nna nako e engwe mo setshaba se seng se tlotla maphodisa. Maphodisa le one a ne a itlotla. Maphodisa a ne a tlotla molao wa naga.
In carrying out your duties as police officials, attention to detail is more than important. Whether it is a statement that is to be taken or a crime prevention programme to be launched, it should be done thoroughly. Our success in this area is heavily reliant on good command and control. It is the responsibility of the senior members to ensure that officers fulfil their duties and obligation to communities with utmost diligence.
Our aim is to ensure that ultimately perpetrators are successfully prosecuted and that people in South Africans are and feel safe.
The success of our investigations and prosecution depends largely on police officials being meticulous in the taking of statements, gathering evidence and arguing the case in court. We expect you to perform your duties with integrity, pride, commitment and skill. We want to go to those courts and prove cases beyond reasonable doubt.
Our people want to see justice prevail. We want no less. However, this can only be achieved if our members are adequately equipped with the proper tools.
Mme Mbombo, from us as management, the officers want vehicles, they want phones, uniform, rape kits and other tools in order to perform their jobs. It is not correct that a police officer has to sit on a broken chair, struggle to find a pen when they need to take down a statement, not be able to find a properly functioning bathroom and not have access to the many computer systems that we have. I think we should deem it as criminal if we as management fail to provide our officers with basic items.
As management we must lead by example. We must draw strategies that will see this organisation succeed. Most importantly, we must recognise our officers for their efforts and achievements.
It is our responsibility as managers to provide these essential requirements and today is the start of better things to come. Ideally, we want to see every police man and woman work in the best conditions possible. Once this is achieved, it can only be sustained if police officers look after the property as if it is their own. Look after those vehicles and this revamped station. Guard them jealously.
Men and women in blue, discipline, good manners and honesty remains the cornerstone of policing and are vital in any professional service delivery. This can be built on good relationships between the police and the public. Ill-discipline and corruption detracts from the required professional service delivery that is to be extended to the nation. Each and every officer must endeavour to serve the nation to the best of their ability.
A police officer is a servant of the people. It is not about self-enrichment. When I see you on parade, wearing that blue uniform with so much pride, I am always inspired by the unity and discipline displayed. When you together at the same time, on command, turn right and left with such unity I am left wondering how more powerful an organisation we would be if we stuck with that attitude in all our daily pursuits. Working together as a team in the best interest of SAPS and our nation.
MEC Molapisi, today as police management and the officers on the ground, we commit ourselves to do that which we must do to be able to render a professional service. The people of this country expect nothing less.
Our Front-Line Service Delivery Programme we are launching today seeks to establish an effective and efficient complaints and enquiries management service, provided by informed police officials at police stations or other service points and prompt feedback to complainants.
In order for us to serve the community of Wolmaransstad with pride and professionalism, we need their cooperation and support.
Community members, we have invited you here today, so that you can hear and see how we are striving to improve our services to you. All that we ask in return is that you assist the police to strive for excellence and provide information about criminals.
Ke rata fa baagi botlhe ba ka tlotla maphodisa, ditsotsi tsona, di tshwanetse go tshaba maphodisa thata-thata fela. Baagi ga ba tshwanela go tshaba maphodisa ka gonne maphodisa le baagi ba tshwanetse go dirisana mmogo go lwantsha bosinyi. For both the police and the communities, crime is number one enemy and we should jointly fight it.
Over the coming months we will launch the same Frontline Service Delivery in Gauteng (Alexandra); KZN (Amangwe); Eastern Cape (Butterworth); Northern Cape (Hartswater); Mpumalanga (Kabhokweni); Free State (Kopanong); Western Cape (Rondebosch); and Limpopo (Thabazimbi).
The lessons from these stations will then be taken to the 500 police stations before the end of next year. Like we have done for Wolmaransstad, we will assess the needs of each police station and ensure that they are provided. We have done some minor refurbishments for Wolmanransstad. We are also bringing seven new additional vehicles for the station.
If we can enter 2015 with unwavering resolve, discipline and courage we will make ourselves the pride of the nation once again. On that point, let me use this opportunity to wish you a peaceful, enjoyable and safe festive.
As I conclude, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you a lady who holds this organization and every member of this organization, especially the man and woman on the ground very close to her heart. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you our Deputy Minister of Police, Ms Maggie Sotyu.
Ke a leboga
