13 December 2006
Mpumalanga is fast turning into a policing model for the country since the
launch of the Afrika Concept in December last year.
The Afrika Concept is a product of the People's War Council against crime
that was held in Badplaas on 11 November 2005. The name derives from the
concept's vision of being a mirror through which the continent will see South
Africa in terms of policing; it is coincidental the Commissioner's nickname is
Afrika.
A number of integrated strategies were adopted and implemented, including
among others the Thusano Integrated Policing Model Approach. A pilot project is
running in the Emalahleni. This project aims to deal with situations that need
the police, traffic officers, security officers and other agencies. The project
has been able to bring down the levels of hijackings in the Witbank/ Vosman
area of the N4.
Through the concept, the Civilian Secretariat and the South African Police
Service (SAPS) have integrated their programme. The MEC now chairs the joint
management forum, a structure consisting of the senior management of both
entities. Accountability to the Legislature has been enhanced and directives by
the MEC are implemented timeously.
As the concept aims to build a people centred police service, schools were
adopted and clothes and necessities distributed to the needy. The
implementation of sector policing has gained momentum and the communities,
through the Community Policing Forums, are having a bigger say in policing
matters.
The restructuring process that will see the phasing away of the Area offices
will free much needed resources that will be deployed at police stations in the
province. The Crime Offices that are manned by detectives have cut down the
turnaround time in investigating cases and have increased the conviction rate.
The unavailability of detectives at the Community Service Centre delayed the
crucial first step of an investigation and had a negative impact on crime
detection.
As crimes against women and children form part of the concept's focus areas,
particular attention is paid to the arrest of rape suspects. Every week station
commissioners give feed back to the Provincial Commissioner on progress on this
front.
Research into the effectiveness of border policing along the borderlines was
undertaken; steps have been taken to correct the identified weaknesses. The
research into the functioning of Multi Agency Structures was also undertaken
and produced outcomes that identified policy weaknesses that needed to be
addressed.
The implementation of basic policing principles has changed the training of
members and the manner in which policing is done. Kwaggafontein Police station
has achieved notable successes through the implementation of basic policing.
Training of members now impact on the manner in which the member does their
job.
Meanwhile a huge celebration is planned for Kwaggafontein tomorrow to mark
the first anniversary of the Concept and to mobilise the Community to partner
the police. Safety and Security MEC Dina Pule will lead the celebration.
NB. The Media is invited to the Celebration.
Enquiries:
Putsoa Makua
Tel: (013) 766 4031
Cell: 082 822 3141 or 083 555 6152
Issued by: Department of Safety and Security, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
13 December 2006
