The Minister of Police, Mr Nhleko
The Deputy Minister of Police, Ms Sotyu
Provincial Commissioner of the host province, Lt Gen Lamoer
The Executive Mayor of Bitou, Alderman M Booysen
Senior SAPS officials in attendance
The community of Plettenberg Bay
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen, I greet you all and extend my warm wishes to you in this New Year.
Judging by our gathering today, it is quite clear that we as the South African Police Service are geared up and ready to tackle the scourge of crime in our communities in 2015.
The opening of this new facility is indeed a symbolic way to kick-start the year, in the knowledge that the community of Plettenberg Bay will be protected and served by dedicated members of the SAPS.
A police station is central to every community, to ensure and assure every household, every woman and child, the elderly and all others that they are safe and secure. With more than 1 000 police stations countrywide and many more being built, as well as more police officials being recruited, we strive to always be a step ahead of criminals.
At the close of 2014 the SAPS launched our Frontline Service Delivery programme to improve the quality of service we provide to our communities, as well as to victims of crime, in all our stations.
Minister, I am certain that - together with everyone gathered here - you will agree that when you enter a police station, you expect professional service and a corporate identity that enhances the image of the SAPS. You would also expect police officials to act swiftly when a crime is reported, as well as to conduct themselves at all times in a professional, dignified and respectful manner. This is certainly what I expect of the Station Commander and members who will be using this police station as a base from which to serve and protect the community without fear or favour.
Today, as we are about to open the doors to this building, we also urge the members of the community to open their hearts to the men and women in blue who will be fighting crime whilst protecting and serving them with pride. We encourage you to work together with them against unscrupulous criminals who continuously target our police officials.
I have taken note of the partnership with the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) and am pleased with this development for we all need to join forces in the fight against crime.
We are aware of the level of crime in this area and we are adamant that with your assistance, we can put those who continue to terrorise this community in the dock, where robbers, drug dealers and hijackers belong.
To those who continue to prey on the most vulnerable and the entire community of Plettenberg Bay, we are closing in on you.
In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, in this new station, we also have trained SAPS employees to render victim empowerment services which includes the counselling and support of victims of violence and crime. We therefore encourage members of the community to utilise these services.
I thank you.
