Policy and Budget Speech presented by MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison in Mpumalanga, Honourable Pat Ngomane Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature - 23 May 2017
Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker Honourable Premier of the Province, Mr. DD Mabuza Honourable Members of the Executive Council Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature
Honourable Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Ms G Shabalala Public Safety councilors from various municipalities
House of Traditional Leaders led by the Chairperson Kgoshi Mokoena
Director-General of the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, Mr. Thulani Mdakane
Head of Department, Mr. William Mthombothi and fellow HODs present
The South African Police Service (SAPS) Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Phahla and SAPS management team,
Representative of the CPF Provincial Board Mr. Stanley Madonsela Representatives from the JCPS Cluster
My former Secondary School Principal, Mr Maluleke who is working as a Chief Director at the DARDLEA
My former Primary School Principal, Mr Manzini who is now a pensioner My former teachers from both Primary and Secondary Schools Distinguished guests and all dignitaries present today
Members of the media, Comrades and Friends Ladies and gentlemen
Sanibonani, dumelang, avuxeni, lotjhani, goeie middag, good afternoon.
Honourable Speaker, the Constitution of the Republic of South African (Act 108 of 1996) asserts that all citizens have rights to live in a safe and secure environment as articulated in Chapter 2 of the Bill of Rights.
The State, through its agencies has to ensure the realization of these rights. It is in this regard that the mandate of the Department of Community Safety Security and Liaison is to promote safety among people in line with the rights enshrined in the Constitution.
To strengthen the rights, outcome 3 of the National Development Plan (NDP) advocates that “All People in South Africa are and feel safe”.
In ensuring that every citizen is and feel safe in the country and the province, focus is given to vulnerable groups such as women, elderly people, children and people with disabilities. It is against this background that we welcome the establishment of five Sexual Offences Courts in the province.
With the establishment of these courts, we believe that sexual offence cases will be prioritized and this will assist in the fight against women and children abuse. The latest addition of these courts, Madam Speaker came with the opening of the Boschfontein Court in the Nkomazi Local Municipality in March 2017.
Now, the ball is in the court of community members who are required to report these cases and also support the victims as witnesses in court.
Madam Speaker, the department implemented the 365 days campaign on women and children abuse. This amplifies the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.
As a department responsible for community safety, we are saying that this is not enough because we see our women being kidnapped and brutally killed in the country. In the province, we are still searching for Lethabo Rakgajana (16), a Grade 11 learner from Mmametlhake High School who disappeared on 30 April 2017.
We urge community members to assist the Rakgajana family find her. If she is located, local police should be contacted. Read more [PDF]
