Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Honourable Premier of the Province, Mr. DD Mabuza
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature
Honourable Members of the Executive Council
House of Traditional Leaders led by the Chairperson Kgoshi Mokoena
Director General of the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize
Head of Department, Mr. William Mthombothi and fellow HODs present here today
The South African Police Service (SAPS) Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General, Advocate Mark Magadlela
Chairperson of the Provincial Community Police Forum Board Mr. Kevin Pillay
Public Safety councilors from various municipalities
Representatives from the JCPS Departments
Distinguished guests and all dignitaries present today
Members of the media,
Comrades and Friends
Ladies and gentlemen
Sanibonani.
Honourable Speaker, The last financial year 2014/15 was characterized by the end of the 4th Administration concluding its business and the 5th Administration being ushered in. In May 2014, we went to National General Elections as a country and the ANC was once more confirmed by the majority of South African voters to lead for another five years.
In his January 08 Statement on the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of the ruling party and also launching the manifesto of the 2014 general elections, President Zuma said,
“We will continue to ensure that South Africans are safer and feel safer and will further reduce the levels of crime and increase the capacity of our police and criminal justice system. We will also continue to work with our communities to make our neighbourhoods and cities safer, especially through strengthening the anti-crime awareness and introducing stronger legislation to combat substance abuse”.
He went on to say that,
“It is vital that adults and children are protected from incidents of domestic violence and crimes against children. We shall, therefore, further strengthen the institutions working in this area and pursue a multi-disciplinary approach in our fight against violence against women and children”.
These were the marching orders that the ANC gave to all its deployees, particularly those in the field of Safety and Security to execute when the ANC was voted into power.
The plans of the ANC found an explicit expression, in the plans of this ANC led Provincial Government and the President reiterated this in his State of the Nation Address. Likewise, the Premier of the Province, Honourable DD Mabuza was guided by the very same manifesto when he delivered his State of the Province Address.
During the State of the Province in February this year, Honourable Premier Mabuza said, “The negative impact of crime impedes the enjoyment of freedom and human rights. Communities live in fear. Women, children, people with disabilities and older persons are subjected to the indignity of rape and abuse. Crime undermines the values of a cohesive society”.
These pronouncements by both President Zuma and the Premier will guide our work to ensure that we realize a safe living environment for all the people of Mpumalanga. We must restore the dignity of vulnerable groups so that they too are able to enjoy the fruits of freedom.
Honourable Speaker, we will also be guided in our work by the National Development Plan (NDP) and its five priority areas of work as we progress towards a crime free South Africa and Mpumalanga in particular by 2030. It states that we must,
- Strengthen the Criminal Justice System
- Make the police service professional
- Demilitarize the police
- Build safety using an integrated approach
- Build community participation in community safety
These priorities require our focused and undivided attention in order to avoid situations such as those we saw in Nhlazatshe/Elukwatini recently. We need to do more to educate our communities about how the Criminal Justice System works in South Africa.
We must focus and ensure that in real terms we enhance community participation is safety and security matters. This is so because, as the NDP noted that safety can only be realized when there in an integrated approach in which the communities are active participants.
We are considering reviewing our approach to our JCPS meetings. It can no longer be business as usual; the criminal justices system must now lead the offensive to intensify the strengthening of the cluster.
We are of the view that criminal justice system must begin to engage with society more, to ensure that it is understood and it is strengthened. Communities must know that once a crime has been committed, police must investigate and based on the evidence presented arrest suspects. The suspects will then appear before a court of law to answer on the allegations. It is the duty of the courts to find a suspect guilty or innocent.
Honourable members, the misconceptions and lack of understanding by the some members of the public need our urgent attention in order to strengthen the entire Criminal Justice System for increased confidence in it.
This will require increased interaction with communities on regular bases to foster maximum cooperation and participation of the citizenry in safety matters.
Initiation schools.
As the province of Mpumalanga we made serious strides in the fight against crime and corruption. The latest crime statistics placed our province at number two after Free State Province. This is a robust display of the commitment and hard work by all law enforcement officers in the province.
In order to show our commitment to the safety of all our people, the SAPS in the province took a bold decision to investigate all deaths at initiation schools as murder. We support this decision and we can assure this august House that, police will open and investigate murder charges for deaths at initiation schools.
The initiation season has started and we can promise the people of the province that we are on a high alert. We are working very closely with different stakeholders to ensure that we close the space for illegal activities which may lead unnecessary loss of lives.
However, we want to appeal to parents and the people of Mpumalanga in general to ensure that they do not risk the safety of their children by allowing them to attend unregistered and fly by night initiation schools whose owners are only interested in making money at the expense of our children.
Parents whose children have been taken without their concern, should immediately report to the police to the police. No child should lose his life during initiation. We will be working closely with Amakhosi and the whole community to ensure that we save lives.
Xenophobia
Honourable Speaker, I want to commend the people of Mpumalanga as a whole for refraining from the barbaric act of violence against foreign nationals. As a province, we can report that the recent spate of attacks on foreign nationals did not get out of control in Mpumalanga and there were no loss of lives.
Where there was an attempt in the Nkangala region, it was communities themselves that stopped it. The police were never called, but communities and local leaders including Amakhosi, stood up and stopped it right way. Therefore the people of Mpumalanga must be commended for that.
We have indeed shown as people of the rising sun that we are human and humanity is what has always defined who we are as people. We have never allowed societal challenges such as unemployment and lack of economic opportunities among others to define how we relate with our brothers and sisters of African Origin. It is therefore not who we are to attack other foreign nationals living in our midst.
When we see them doing crime, we must tell the police and the police will act accordingly. We should not under any circumstances attack them or destroy their properties because that constitute criminality. Let us therefore isolate those few barbaric elements in our communities who may want to bring our good name into disrepute by attacking foreign nationals, destroying their properties and even looting their shops. Let us all stand up and unite against xenophobia. We are Africans. Mayibuye I-Africa.”
As a proactive measure, we will hold two Izimbizo in Nkomazi, KaMaqhekeza Stadium and Bushbuckridge, Thulamahashe Stadium to mobilise communities to reject attacks on foreign nationals and report those among them who may want to do so.
Programme 1: Administration
Honourable Speaker and members, the key task of the Programme 1 is to render support to all other programmes. We have set ourselves the task of delivering an improved audit outcome and that is why we have been so hard at work to address all issues that the Auditor-General raised in the previous annual report.
In our quest to obtain better audit outcomes, we have established a compliance committee to specifically ensure that we address matters of compliance that the auditors have highlighted in the previous reports.
The committee has been hard at work to ensure that nothing falls through the cracks and clear our way of improving the audit outcomes. It is not only about outcomes but it is about quality service delivery to the people of Mpumalanga.
Programme 2: Civilian Oversight
Honourable Speaker, in order to ensure that we promote service excellence through monitoring and evaluation of SAPS performance; we have in the past financial year monitored police stations in the province.
It must be noted that all 86 Police Stations will be evaluated and in this financial year 2015/2016 the department has set aside an amount (One million Seven Hundred and five Rand ) R1, 705 000 to monitor and evaluate all 86 police stations in the province and culminate into MEC’s Excellence Awards.
Honourable Speaker, we took specific interest in the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act and as a result monitored the implementation of the Act.
We will intensify our work in this area to ensure that women and children are protected since this kind of violence is difficult to detect unless the victim break the silence and speak out.
Honourable Speaker, the department remains committed in the coordination and facilitation of programmes aimed at reducing contact crimes and establishing institutional structures for community governance and participation.
This area of work is underpinned by the National Development Plan document which among others advocates that we build safety using an integrated approach and also build community participation in community safety programmes.
Therefore, the Department would like to report that it was able to conduct four social crime prevention programmes and one Imbizo in the last financial years under due to budgetary constraints.
Honourable Speaker, we have budgeted (Two million Rand) R2 million for the 2015/16 financial year to conduct our Community Outreach Programmes (Izimbizo) and the first one will be held in Mbombela Local Municipality in the second quarter of the current financial year.
We managed to increase our educational awareness campaigns from 60 to 65, with five integrated crime prevention initiatives on school safety, vulnerable groups, contact crimes and rural safety.
This year, the department has set aside an amount of (Seven Hundred Thousand Rand) R700 000 to intensify our campaigns in this area of work. We will concentrate in conducting campaigns on mobilizing communities to reject and report stolen goods, border security; gender based domestic violence, human trafficking, and liquor traders campaigns.
Therefore Honourable Speaker, as directed by the National Development Plan, we will forge ahead with Public Participation programmes to ensure that we are constantly interacting with communities and mobilizing them into a broad front against crime.
We must build a strong community confidence in the criminal justice system and also mobilize them to be active foot soldiers in the fight against crime and corruption in the province.
We have to realize that as we build community participation in community safety; our people must understand, support and be part of the implementation of the safety plans which will improve policing and participation of the citizenry in safety matters.
As part of strengthening community mobilization against crime, we will strive to ensure that the work that CPF structures are doing is included in safety plans as well as how other members of the public, organized and unorganized become active activists in the fight against crime.
Honourable members, the involvement of all community structures in the fight against crime will allow us to build a broad front of active citizenry to deliver a crime free Mpumalanga by 2030.
If I were to borrow from Former President, Nelson Mandela Honourable members, I would say, this is an ideal for which I hope to live and to achieve, and if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared die.
Transport Regulation
Honourable Speaker, we are also tasked with providing transport regulation and road safety in the beautiful province of Mpumalanga. We are the Province of the rising sun, and we have committed ourselves that as the sun rises, we will be out in full force to make our communities and roads safer.
Our ideal Mpumalanga is where all unnecessary deaths which are caused by those who drive while under the influence of alcohol, excessive speeding, driving of un-roadworthy vehicles, fatigue, drinking and walking, negligence and human error in general are eradicated.
In one of his books, the late Dr Myles Manroe said, “The graveyard is filled with visions that never became realities. The cemetery is filled with poetry that no one is ever going to write. Films no one produced. Ministries no one started. Dreams never pursued. Grants and scholarships which nobody applied for. Music that no one had a chance to hear, songs that were never sung”.
Honourable Speaker, the late Dr Manroe is reminding us that when more people are dying as result of crashes how much humanity loses. This is even sad when it is our negligence, our faults, our attitudes that denied the opportunity to have that poetry written, those film produced, those songs that Dr. Manroe spoke about sang.
We can no longer afford to risk the lives of our loved ones just because some among us decide to be negligent, drink and drive, speed excessively, drive vehicles which are not roadworthy and in the process endanger other people’s lives. This tide must be turned around. Sekwanele siya Bopha.
In the last financial year 2014/2015, we collaborated with well-known artists in the country to produce songs to convey messages on road safety. The collaboration saw artists such as the gospel queen, Rebecca Malope, Robbie Malinga, Zaharah, Musa, Princess, Thabile, Bricks, Big Nuz, coming together to drive our messages home.
Honourable Speaker and members, this we do in order to intensify our work on road safety education and we want to give a specific focus on children safety on the road as well.
The pain of a losing a child on the road is too unbearable, because, as Dr Manroe observed, they are untold stories and we raise them up to show us their undiscovered talents and capabilities.
Honourable Speaker, due to my own loss of my daughter Sethu, I want to work hard to shield and protect other parents from the pain of losing children. No human being, whether rich or poor, black or white deserve to go through such pain.
The Department is currently developing a concept document on a special project that will concentrate on children safety on our roads. We do this in order to draw societal attention to the sad reality that our children are exposed to on the road.
We want to ensure children safety on the roads is everybody’s business. Adults and motorists must take responsibility and always give a right of way to children. Our target in the project will be children aged between 3 and 14 years.
Honourable Speaker, in the 2014/2015 financial year, we involved 1 320 road safety education programmes in schools around the province, with 169 companies involved in road safety programmes.
In the last financial year 2014/2015, we issued 337 880 summonses to drivers who are not complying with the rules of the road. This number is a reflection that we need more enforcement because it is clear that people out there are not willing to respect human life on the road.
That is why the Department is forging ahead with the building of the Traffic Training College in Mkhuhlu to ensure that we train traffic officers to manage our roads.
Honourable Speaker, we have set aside (one hundred and eighteen million, eight hundred and fifty nine thousand Rands) R118, 859, 000, to continue the construction of the Traffic Training College. This will cover the main buildings including the auditorium, classroom block, the eNaTIS block, administration block, shooting range and student centre. These are primary buildings and compulsory structures that must be in place before the Minister can grant accreditation to the college.
Programme 4: Security Management.
Honourable Speaker, we have a mandate to coordinate security service in the province. The department started with new security contractors on the 1st of April 2015. The contract will run for the next three years and expires in March 2017.
We are engaging with relevant stakeholders to address the shortage of guards in hospitals and schools to ensure proper security at these critical establishments.
In conclusion Honourable Speaker, let me thank the Honourable Premier Mr. DD Mabuza for the guidance he has provided to me as person and the Department and further confirm our commitment that together we will win the fight against crime and corruption.
I would also like to thank all Executive Committee Members for their continued support.
Members of the Provincial Legislature, particularly the Portfolio Committee and its Chairperson, the Honourable RS Mathabe, for the sterling work in guiding and monitoring the work that we are doing.
My team from the Department under the stewardship of HOD Mr. William Mthombothi, for commitment and dedication to their work to realize a crime and crash-free Mpumalanga by 2030.
The SAPS Management in the Province under the stern leadership of Lt. General Mark Magadlela and the entire Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster for their continued and reliable support.
I want to thank my wife and my family for their unwavering support and to all friends and comrades who have been a pillar of strength.
And lastly Madam Speaker, I want to thank all the people of Mpumalanga for their support shown to my family after the tragic passing away of my daughter Sethu. May God give you strength to support and comfort other families when such need arises.
Honourable Speaker, allow me therefore to present and table to this house the budget for Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison as follows:
Programme1: Administration R133 756 000 (One hundred and Thirty Three Million Seven hundred and Fifty Six Thousand Rand)
Programme 2: Civilian Oversight R57 146 000 (Fifty Seven Million One Hundred and Forty Six Thousand Rands)
Programme 3: Transport Regulations R490 360 000 (Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Rands)
Programme 4: Security Management R358 976 000 (Three Hundred and Fifty Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy Six Thousand Rands)
The total allocation to the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison is R1 040 184 000 (One Billion Forty Million One Hundred and Eighty Four Thousand Rands).
“Sekwanele, Bopha.”
I thank you.
