Honourable Chairperson of the NCOP
Honourable Deputy Chairperson
Honourable Minister of Police Mr Nkosinati Nhleko
Honourable Deputy Minister of Police Me Maggie Sotyu
Honourable MECs
Honourable Chief Whip
Honourabale Chairperson of Portfolio committees
Honourable Members of the House
Generals and Senior Officers of the South African Police Service
Comrades and friends.
I rise to contribute to the debate on the budget vote of Police delivered to the National Assembly by our Honorable Minister Cde Nathi Nhleko. In his address the Honourable Minister advocated for an integrated approach to policing and social stability. He emphasized the need to work with other organs of state, business, non-governmental organisations, research and tertiary institutions in order for us to succeed in this regard. This is an ideal which finds traction in the blueprint for our future – the National Development Plan (NDP).
The National Planning Commission’s Diagnostic 2011 report underlined the reality that high crime levels in South Africa have slowed our social and economic development. “Violent crime, contact crime and property crimes are so common that many South Africans live in fear. When people feel unsafe it makes it harder for them to pursue their personal goals, and to take part in social and economic activity”.
This state of affair is almost akin with one painted by Omar Nelson Bradley, a US Army General during World War II when he said: “Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living. We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount”.
To paraphrase one Dorothy Thompson, a foremost advocate of peace and an anti-Nazi journalist: “Peace has to be created, in order to be maintained. It must be a product of Faith, Strength, Energy, Will, Sympathy, Justice, Imagination, and the triumph of principle. It will never be achieved by passivity and quietism”.
Building peace and stability is one of the ANC’s top most priority since 1912. Notwithstanding the violent culture from our past and rampant socio-economic challenges that overwhelms us from time to time, we can say with no fear of contradiction that a solid foundation for a better life has been laid. The Constitution bequeathed on us by our Madiba provides a sound architecture from which we can continue building on.
During his State of the Province Address, the Honourable Premier of our province, underscored the message of the Minister when he called for a multifaceted approach to fighting crime. He called for all stakeholders including members of the community to participate actively in street committees and other community policing structures. To this end the province has already established 80 functional street committees in addition to 97 Community Police forums and 30 CSF’s. We welcome the Minister’s commitment to revitalize Community Police Forums and Community Safety Forums.
Honourable chairperson,
As a province, we have a target of reducing contact crime by 2-4 percent by the end of this financial year. The existing policing infrastructure in fast growing towns such as Polokwane, Seshego, Mankweng, Thohoyandou, Mahwelereng, Lephalale, Musina, Burgersfort and Modimolle cannot cope anymore. Population explosion in these towns coupled with general urbanization gives rise to new challenges which require more focused and dedicated resources for policing. Residents require not less but more well-resourced satellite police stations closer to where they live. This does not only shortens the response time of the police but also increases their visibility – thereby deterring crime from happening in the first place.
Honourable Chairperson,
The province is also prioritising the fight against crimes in farming communities which threaten not only social cohesion but also food security and rural economies. We are also paying particular attention and focus to the mushrooming of taverns and shebeens which have proven to be a major contributor to contact crimes especially the abuse of women and children. In this regard the provincial government will be piloting a new Liquor Bill which seeks to regulate the liquor industry and enhance law enforcement. The Limpopo government is committed to act swiftly to ensure that we do not have liquor outlets planted in close proximity to schools and places of worship.
Whilst our province is generally peaceful and is sometimes known as the home of peace, we have lately been taken aback by a spate of what appears to be a resurgence of ritual murders or “muti-killings” especially in the Vhembe district. In the six cases reported from April 2013 to June 2014, the police have already arrested seven suspects in connection with this kind of crimes. Suspects were found in possession of human body parts and exhibits such as cellphones. This once again, is testimony to the good work which our men and women in blue are doing in curbing crime often in trying circumstances. The rise in ritual murder cases must serve as an indictment on all of us to heighten awareness against ritual killings especially in the rural areas of our country.
Honourable chairperson,
Let me come back to one important issue which the Minister raised: the challenge of drugs amongst our youth. The Minister is correct to intimate that “any nation that does not want to have a future must kill its youth”. Drugs are the surest and quickest way to destroy the hopes and aspirations of any young person. So serious is the challenge in our province that we had to convene a Youth Crime Prevention Summit early this year to deal with the scourge amongst other issues. We are going to review our Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy to incorporate a pillar of youth crime prevention plan later this year. The strategy will soon be rolled out to ensure that young people become active participants in the prevention of drugs in their schools and communities.
In conclusion, let me take the opportunity to commend all youth volunteers who are doing a good work in fighting crime often without tangible incentives. I salute members of the street committees, Community Policing Forums and Community Safety Forums for their commitment and selflessness. Your goodwill and passion is evidence enough that your love for this country and its people can never be diminished.
You have shown that peace can never be achieved through passivity nor quietism. Peace has to be created, maintained and worked upon.
Thank you for showing us the light!
Working together we can move South Africa Forward.
