Thank you Programme Director,
eThekwini Metro Mayor, Councillor James Nxumalo,
KZN SAPS Management present,
Member of eThekwini exco,
Honourable members of KZN Legislature present,
Councillors present with us here today,
Leaders of our social partners present,
Members of the media,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Good morning and thank you for inviting me to come and address this most important event today.
Today’s event comes just weeks after the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) JCPS Cluster received an inept briefing from the Deputy Police Commissioner, Lt General Sithole on the Draft National Crime Prevention Strategy.
Relevant to this gathering and the initiative we are launching today, the Draft National Crime Prevention Strategy, among others, confirms the correctness of the philosophy of eThekwini Metro and that of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Community Safety and Liaison, of placing communities at the center of our crime fighting strategy.
Furthermore, the Draft National Crime Prevention Strategy speaks to devolution of crime fighting initiatives from the province, the district, the local, the ward, the voting district and up street committee levels.
During the presentation at KZN JCPS Cluster meeting, key features of the plan were almost of confirmation of the correctness of our plans of mobilisation of masses into building A United Front against Crime.
The Draft National Crime Prevention Strategy is soon to be tabled at the KZN Cabinet. We have proposed that we should hold a workshop on this plan to compare notes with our strategy. I am convinced that you, as an important stakeholder in the war against crime, will gladly attend that workshop.
Colleagues, what I am saying is that the project we are launching today is in line with both the Provincial and the National Crime Fighting plans. Therefore, the launch of Ward Safety Committees today, is indeed, the addition of the critical building block in our fight against crime and criminals.
It talks directly to our belief that the war against crime and criminality cannot be waged and won by police only. Yes police are the key component of crime fighting. But the war against crime needs all of us, it needs the element of volunteerism, dedication and selflessness.
In a paper entitled" It is within us to tackle crime", Catherine Moat, Wits University Head of Crime, Policing and Criminal Justice Programme underlines the importance of the role of communities in the battle against crime.
She observes, and I quote, "Crimes are mainly committed in homes and offices, by people who know each other. No police force is really able to prevent or combat this as it comes to the situation after the fact."
Moat recommends: "Finding answers (to the challenge of crime) is an onion-peeling process that uncovers layers of truth and untruth. The imperative is that we have to start with ourselves: solutions will not exist without us."
Colleagues, it is clear that the answer lies with us, it lies with the mass mobilization of masses against crime and criminals. In our quest to strengthen this mass mobilization, last weekend we launched the KwaZulu-Natal Community Crime Prevention Association.
This structure, which add yet another muscles in our quest to defeat crime, is made out of former independent crime prevention structure- previously known as oqonda or vigilantes.
These formations have now been organized and work-shopped to work within law. They are currently being trained to work together with police in the fight against crime. That these formations have agreed to work with our and are now working with us, in our view, constitutes a feat.
In his keynote address to the launch, Premier Senzo Mchunu, underlined the role of communities in fighting crime and what should be their attitude to criminals.
"It is important that criminals should know and be shown that they are not accepted in our communities. We urge communities to be intolerant of criminals," said premier.
Colleagues, the background I have painted above seeks to underscore the importance of the project we are launching today within the broader KZN crime fighting strategy. These committees, which are launching today, are sub-committees of the Ward Committees, established in terms of the Municipal Structures Act.
They speak to the importance of volunteerism. This committee comprises community members who are willing to volunteer their time to engage residents in crime prevention. This is in an effort to combat crime and enhance safety and security in their communities.
The main objective of the Ward Safety Committees is to create community awareness on safety issues, stimulate community cohesion, encourage community participation in crime prevention and build rapport between the communities and the police.
I understand that members have been orientated on crime prevention sector policies, mandates and possible tools that could be utilised in developing safety plans. Colleagues, I have no doubt that the training received by participants will empower them with skills to analyse and assess all safety threatening issues and report to the relevant structures and/or departments like Community Policing Forum, South African Police Services and Councillors.
Finally, compatriots, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen I invite you to joining me in welcoming these crime fighting soldiers into broader KwaZulu-Natal community United Against Crime and Criminality.
Thank you!
