MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu on crime priorities

Ladies and gentlemen

Let me first thank you for taking time to attend to this media briefing. Before delving to the few points that I wish to raise in this briefing I wish to acknowledge the solid foundations laid by all my predecessors including MEC Firoz Cachalia. I am certain that without their wisdom and dedication it would be extremely difficult for me to focus on the immediate mandate of our current government.

I must also acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the Head of this Department, Margaret-Ann Diedricks. Working as a team, of course with all the civil servants accounting to her, I am sure that the mandate given by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to step up the fight against crime will be made easier.

Before I say a few words on the type of criminal activities that the provincial government will be targeting, I must make this urgent announcement. Together with our sister Department of Public Transport and Roads, we have decided to recall all unlicensed vehicles in the province. An audit conducted by ENatis shows that of the 3.8 million vehicles registered in Gauteng, 427 000 are unlicensed and are illegally using our roads.

This figure includes vehicles whose roadworthy licenses are in arrears. Whilst we contemplate culprits as defaulters with the credit bureau, we urge defaulting motorist to contact us for assistance on the following numbers: 011 689 3791 or 011 689 3636, or visit departmental website where a list of all defaulters could be accessed.

This said and done, I now wish talk about the crime terror, particularly those that we have prioritised. We have noticed an increase of organised brutal criminal activities especially related to truck and other vehicle hijackings. We also know of organised criminals specialising in bank and business robberies. There is of course the terror of house robberies. These crimes we commonly refer to as trio crimes.

In support of the South African Police Service and on our departmental law enforcement officials, we are going to increase material support to the recently initiated Rapid Response Team (RRT). With about 100 vehicles currently, we envisage increasing the number substantially. We also are contemplating increasing the number of cameras that complement the work of this unit.

Having noticed the resurgence of taxi violence - a scourge that not only affects operators but leaves ordinary people killed, maimed or inconvenienced in numerous ways, I want to warn the perpetrators that their time is up. We cannot use public transport infrastructure as veritable killing fields with impunity. The culprits must know that they actually are dicing away their livelihood and risk long jail terms.

A strange and weird type of crime has also come to our shores. We now have building and property hijackers. These bandits illegally take over building from rightful owners and illegally charge tenants. We need to let them know that we know who some of them are and their days are also numbered. In routing them out and sending them to jail, we shall ensure that innocent tenants are not affected.

In conclusion and before I hand over to Commissioner Mabaso to make an announcement, I wish to applaud the co-operation that we enjoy through the Joint Steering Committee. Members of the media may recall that about two weeks ago Heisters smashed into van carrying cash. This was in Fordsburg.

The vehicle was badly damaged by explosives strapped at the back. The security guard at the back of the van was immediately killed and the other was shooting the back whilst trying to escape. Nearby buildings were also damaged in the process of this military type crime. The robbers failed to get their loot. I said then I was quite confident that the police will find the criminals.

Ladies and gentlemen, I will now handover to Commissioner Mabaso to brief us further.

Thank you

Issued by: Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Provincial Government
29 May 2009
Source: Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gautsafety.gpg.gov.za)

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