Let me first take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the 11 directly affected families, community members, local leadership and role players within the criminal justice system for honouring this important session. As millions of South Africans are celebrating Women's Month, as the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) departments, we have decided to come here to gauge progress in the investigation of your cases and give feedback.
We know very well that on many occasions, communication breakdown between investigators of crime and the victims has compromised the integrity of the criminal justice system in this country.
As we move forward together in this era of renewal, we have to rededicate ourselves to the commitments that we have made to the electorate through the ANC's manifesto that, amongst others, we should:
- Combat violence and crimes against women and children through ensuring that law enforcement agencies are well equipped to detect such cases.
- Establish of a new modernised, efficient and transformed criminal justice system to enhance the capacity for crime fighting with a particular focus on improving the functioning of the police, the judiciary and correctional services in order to achieve integration and co-ordination.
All levels of government are expected to play their role in response to incidents of violent crime, particularly gender-based violence, which present a challenge to all of us and the only choice we have in order to combat it is through working together in defence of the vulnerable groups, which include women, children, the elderly and disabled.
After the heinous incidents that plagued this area, which shocked the whole country, provincial government assembled a team led by the Department of Safety and Liaison officials working together with other government departments such as Social Development, Eastern Cape Aids Council, National Intelligence Agency, Department of Justice, National Prosecuting Authority, Mbizana Municipality, South African Police Service (SAPS) and community policing forum, to work on a turn-around strategy.
We are convinced that the strategy that was adopted enabled all of us to restore the dignity of our people and bring peace, security and comfort in this community.
Going forward, we want to ensure that:
* There are continuous emotional support programmes for the families and we expect other government departments, churches and SAPS to lead that process.
* Our district office should continue to enhance the capacity of local communities to deal with crime. We must have active and vibrant community policing structures, including CPFs, Sector Crime Forums and Village Committees, as we strongly believe that such a massive involvement of the communities could be the cornerstone of our local crime prevention strategies.
* The Department of Justice, the National Prosecuting Authority and SAPS should prioritise these cases and always take into account community interests.
* The SAPS should accelerate the return of DNA test results to ensure quick conclusion of these cases.
I must state it categorically that, indeed, as government we are impressed by the progress made by the special task team that has been investigating these cases. We believe that working together with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, NPA and all relevant role players, we can very soon bring closure to this matter.
We are looking forward to a day, which is not far from now, when local women and children, especially girl children, will again walk around our villages without fear of being raped, killed or losing their body parts.
In conclusion, I would like to once more commend all role players and the community on the progress made so far and I am convinced that we will continue to work together to promote peace and moral regeneration in this area.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
18 August 2009
