Date: 18/03/2005
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: Mhlahlo: Eastern Cape Safety and Liaison Prov Budget Vote 2005/2006
Provincial Safety and Liaison Policy speech for 2005/6, delivered by MEC Thobile Mhlahlo, at the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
Madame Speaker
Honourable Premier
Honourable members
Invited Guests
Ladies and Gentleman
“There shall be peace, security and comfort”
The Congress of the People, 50 years ago, declared total emancipation from political, social and national oppression through the Freedom Charter.
They believed that the Freedom Charter would remain a lasting solution for our country.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this Charter, we pay tribute to all those who made it possible for us to sit in this house, united in diversity, committed to realise a better life for all in South Africa.
This address further seeks to pay tribute to all our law enforcement agencies and the people who selflessly worked closely with them to ensure that we uphold the values and principles enshrined in the Freedom Charter, which amongst others, include Peace, Security and Comfort.
Before proceeding further, I would also like to pay tribute to the stalwart of the movement and first Premier of the Eastern Cape, Raymond Mhlaba, whom we have laid to rest a few weeks ago.
Oom Ray, together with other gallant fighters of his generation have made an indelible contribution to our hard-won democracy as they ensured that we realised the vision of the Freedom Charter, of a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it.
Madam Speaker, this year we celebrate 10 years of the SAPS Act, which was promulgated in 1995. The historical fact about this Act is that it brought about a fundamental change of transforming the police from a “force” to a “service” that recognises individual freedoms and accountable to the people it serves. It further brought about closer interaction between the police and the communities they serve.
On behalf of this House and the people of the Eastern Cape, I would like to congratulate all members of the SAPS for continuing to transform into an arm of the state that upholds the values of the Freedom Charter, i.e. Peace, Security and Comfort.
Madam Speaker, the Provincial Growth and Development Plan will only succeed if we manage our crime levels and ensure peace and stability in our province to realise its vision, which is to make the “Eastern Cape a compelling place to live, work and invest in”.
Honourable Members, this address seeks to achieve further and visible advances with regard to the improvement of the quality of life of all our people, affecting many critical areas of social existence, including safety and security, moral regeneration, and social cohesion.
Last year, I made certain commitments to this House on behalf of the Department of Safety and Liaison. These included:
* Enlistment of 1183 entry-level constables and 295 Public Service Act personnel in the SAPS. I am glad to report that we have managed to enlist 1010 constables and 318 Public Service Act personnel.
* Enhancement of female representativity, particularly Africans, in senior ranks of the police service. From 01 April 2004 to February 2005, 133 females were promoted and of this, 96 were Africans.
* Finalised the implementation of Resolution 7 of 2002 in the SAPS. This process has increased representativity broadly in the SAPS and further enhanced service delivery at station level.
* Purchased 807 vehicles at a cost of R78 million. This has enhanced the police response to complaints and improved service delivery.
* Ensuring continuous coordination of the Criminal Justice Forum by the Department, which has seen greater cooperation and integration of services along the Constitutional principle of co-operative governance.
* Addressing overcrowding in our correctional centres. We convened a successful provincial workshop to address overcrowding of prisons. One of the identified strategies was the marketing of community-based sentences.
* Strengthening our anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Joint Anti-Corruption Task Team, this has thus far investigated 727 cases bringing about 315 arrests and 144 convictions.
* Piloting the national monitoring tool for civilian oversight to ensure improved SAPS service delivery.
* Completion of an evaluation regarding the implementation of equity and resource allocation in SAPS.
* Conducting eight (8) HIV-Aids workshops at different policing areas.
* Hosting a strategic planning session for the Provincial Community Police Board.
* Hosting a Second National Consultative Conference on Community Safety Forums. This conference succeeded in bringing together the different spheres of government and recognising the important role of all stakeholders in crime prevention, in particular local government.
* Embarking on 10 social crime prevention projects to engage youth and various organs of civil society. These projects were held in different parts of the province and some of the highlights, include:
1. Launch of the Mhlontlo Community Safety Plan in Qumbu, which is aimed at enhancing the municipalities’ local economic development initiatives through social crime prevention programmes.
2. Sports Against Crime in Mdantsane and Motherwell, which both featured PSL clubs, Bush Bucks and Kaizer Chiefs. More than 20 000 people attended each event. The purpose was to mobilise the youth in these urban renewal nodes to participate in social crime prevention programmes.
3. Steve Tshwete Schools Sport Games held in all eight (8) policing areas in the province with the purpose of encouraging school-going children to stay away from bad habits.
4. Moral Regeneration Summit held in Port Elizabeth to mobilise various organs of civil society to assist in moral renewal programmes.
5. Multi-Denominational Reconciliation Service held in Port Elizabeth attended by more than 6000 people. The objectives of this service were to:
* Present our challenges to both the church and other religions to establish a platform for joint actions against crime
* Jointly champion reconciliation between members of the community, who were victimised due to police actions during the apartheid regime
* Cement good working relations between the police and communities they serve
* Promote inter-sectoral approach in dealing with lawlessness.
In July 2005, we will host a similar event in the Tsolo-Qumbu area in an effort to bring about reconciliation between the people of that area.
Honourable Members, the Provincial Commissioner and I, together with the SAPS senior management, visited all eight (8) police areas with the purpose of assessing service delivery and challenges facing the police.
I am satisfied that the police of the Eastern Cape are ready to take up the challenge of fighting crime vigorously and jointly with the communities of this province.
Madam Speaker, crime trends in the past financial year had seen a reduction in contact crimes of between 3% and 6%. Contact crimes are murder, attempted murder, rape and assault.
Property related crimes over the past year reflect an 11% decrease. However, there are still certain police areas, where the above crimes are in excess.
During his State of the Nation Address in 2004, President Thabo Mbeki challenged our law enforcement agencies to arrest the 200 most wanted criminals countrywide.
Of the 200, 10 were identified in the Eastern Cape and I am glad to report that through the hard work and coordination of our law enforcement agencies, eight (8) of them are now behind bars.
Madam Speaker, the challenge bestowed upon us by the President is to realise a crime-free society, where Peace, Security and Comfort prevails.
In response to the government’s call regarding firearm amnesty, 1871 firearms were retrieved in this Province thus far. Of these, 533 were confiscated through police operations, 311 illegal firearms voluntary returned, and 1027 legal firearms voluntary returned. A total of 33 832 rounds of ammunition have also been retrieved. (These statistics are up until the 9th of March 2005).
The above was achieved through the coordination and integration of our security agencies, namely SAPS, SANDF, and Traffic Officers etc.
Numerous joint operations like Operation Bite, Operation Thorne, Operation Sethunya, Operation Goodnight and Operation Vulindlela, have all contributed in bringing about peace and stability in this Province by addressing high crime areas and contract crimes in particular.
A total of 1 087 operations were held realising 59 560 arrests.
These arrests were, amongst other things, for illegal possession of firearms, drugs, property and contact crimes.
We commend the people of the Eastern Cape for realising that unlimited access to firearms can threaten our safety and undermine our peace and stability in our communities.
Madam Speaker, the success by the law enforcement agencies to ensure peace and stability in our province has also unfortunately brought about loss of life to outstanding police members, while on duty.
These members have been the pillar of our society and with your permission, Madam Speaker, allow this House to observe a moment of silence in their honour.
Honourable Members, as a contribution to the achievement to the Provincial Growth and Development Plan, the Department of Safety and Liaison will strengthen its oversight function over SAPS to realise “public sector and institutional transformation in support of improved service delivery to our communities”.
It is from this point Madam Speaker that we commit ourselves as the Department of Safety and Liaison to strive towards the achievement of the goal of creating an environment, where there is “Peace, Security and Comfort”.
Our broad objectives to achieve the above will be to:
* Strengthen the fight against crime
* Deepen the involvement of communities in social crime prevention programmes
* Better aligning the work of the various crime prevention agencies
* Continue to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
In the coming year, in strengthening the fight against crime, the SAPS together with other law enforcement agencies will:
* Work in an integrated and coordinated approach to reduce the levels of crime, particularly contact crimes to ensure that we achieve a reduction of at least between 5% - 8%
* Ensure that the Eastern Cape communities feel the presence of law enforcement agencies in rooting out criminals by having at least 1 175 operations to enhance peace and stability
* Deepen the involvement of communities in social crime prevention programmes, which will see our CPFs being strengthened and capacitated to carry out their mandate and further engage our communities in social crime prevention projects such as Sports Against Crime and Safer Schools Projects. We will continue encouraging our communities to actively participate in sector policing through Sector Crime Forums.
Better aligning the work of our crime prevention agencies calls upon us and all spheres of government, together with civil society to work together to bring about peace and stability in our communities.
The Department of Safety and Liaison will:
* Strengthen its relationship with the district municipalities and the Nelson Mandela Metro to assist with the establishment of district community safety forums so as to ensure an integrated approach to crime prevention in the Province
* Finalise and ensure the adoption of the Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy. A working document format of this strategy has been circulated and your input will be appreciated
* Continue to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System through coordinating the Provincial Criminal Justice Forum. The last few years have seen the opening of Integrated Justice Court Centres in Port Elizabeth, East London and last month in Queenstown and Mthatha. In this coming financial year, centres of this magnitude will be opened in Uitenhage, Zwelitsha and New Brighton.
Madam Speaker, last year, the Minister of Correctional Services gave me a mandate to oversee the operations of the Correctional Service Centres in the Province.
This department has seen a remarkable change in its development with the establishment of a White Paper on Corrections. This transition is about placing rehabilitation at the centre of all departmental activities in partnership with external stakeholders. One of the main focus areas of the white paper is “Corrections as a Social Responsibility”.
To deal with overcrowding, the Department of Correctional Services has established a Provincial Task Team to monitor and control the overcrowding problem in our correctional centres. Mechanisms have been put in place to try and alleviate the problem by promoting the use of community- based sentences.
About 33 escapes took place in Correctional Service Centres in the Province.
This year, escapes and reduction thereof will also be prioritised and a strategy has been compiled to achieve no escapes.
As part of recognising corrections as a social responsibility, the establishment of a new Correctional Supervision and Parole Board has been completed and will now start its work. A key transformation initiative is the fact that all chairpersons of these boards will be community members.
Madam Speaker, this year in the SAPS will see:
* The enlistment of 2544 entry-level Constables and 70 Public Service Act personnel
* The purchase of approximately 500 vehicles at a cost of R73 million
* Infrastructure expenditure of over R100 million will be spent on alterations at the Police Provincial Headquarters in Zwelitsha; Mthatha Training College and the police stations of Motherwell; Sulenkama; Sterkspruit; Bhisho, Cradock, Lusikisiki Police Station, Hlababomvu and Mdantsane NU1
* A further R10 million will be spent on water, electricity and sewerage at various police stations, amongst others, Kwaaiman, Bityi and Mbizina
* The training of 12 913 police members on dealing with family violence, investigations of commercial crime, forensics, border policing, labour relations and K53.
As per our Constitutional mandate, we will continue monitoring the South African Police Service with a view to ensure it fulfils its obligations of upholding the values and principles of community policing in a democratic society.
To this end, the department undertakes to:
* Promote the Batho Pele Campaign by ensuring that at least 70% of all police personnel in community service centres have name badges.
This will assist community members to identify police members assisting them.
* Continuously monitor strides towards achieving equity and resource distribution in SAPS with a focus on specialised units
* Evaluate and assess procurement practices in SAPS
* Assess and evaluate recruitment practices in SAPS
* Assess the training capacity of SAPS
* Assess the HIV-Aids strategies within SAPS
* Support the legislative review process of legislation impacting on Safety and Security e.g. participate in the development of the New Safety and Security Act
* Facilitate the development of a uniform constitution for community policing structures in the Eastern Cape
* Oversee CPF elections, which are to take place towards the end of the year
* Monitor SAPS strategies to reduce contact crimes at identified police stations
* Promote moral regeneration of our society through at least six (6) campaigns in the Province
* Continue marketing and promoting the Department to the communities through dissemination of information about the services it renders.
In an effort to promote “Peace and Friendship” and enhance NEPAD together with our neighbouring countries, we will host a “Cross-Border Crime Prevention Summit” in Maluti in April. The objective of this summit is to build strong relations with Lesotho so as to curb crimes that affect our people living along the border.
Madam Speaker, the department’s budget of over R13 million will be used to achieve the above initiatives.
Honourable members, through the negotiations between the government of the Republic of South Africa and the European Union, the Eastern Cape Province has secured funding to an amount of R250 million for support to policing of crimes against women and children.
This programme will be implemented over a five-year period with Phase 1 lasting for two years and Phase 2 for three years.
The key result areas for this programme and projected expenditure for this year are as follows:
* An effective provincial crime prevention and reduction strategy focussing on crimes against women and children developed and operationalised – R7 721 970
* SAPS members in the project priority areas have acquired relevant skills and capacities to deliver effective professional services to those affected by crimes against women and children R9 269 995
* Physical resources and infrastructure for delivery of high quality services to those affected by crimes against women and children improved in project priority areas – R14 797 500
* Active community participation and ownership in prevention and addressing of crimes against women and children ensured in project priority areas – R5 502 600
* Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) monitoring and facilitation of compliance with the Domestic Violence Act and other relevant legislation, improved in the Eastern Cape – R2 588 312.
A further amount of R2 051.500 will be spent on expenses relating to the programme coordinating unit. The total expenditure amounting to R41 931.877 will be spent during this financial year.
Madam Speaker, this programme will be implemented at 29 police stations in the Eastern Cape. (A list of these stations is attached) These stations are predominantly in previously disadvantaged areas and will be capacitated to ensure effective service delivery to the communities.
The ending financial year has seen the setting up of infrastructure for this programme (offices, staff, etc.)
This programme will also give life to the “Victims Charter” through establishment of Victim Support Centres at the identified police stations and further capacitate personnel at family, sexual offences and child protection units in the Eastern Cape.
Activities in this programme include the roll out of community safety forums to more municipalities beyond the pilot projects so as to ensure that they become active partners in coordinating social crime prevention.
In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation to the Premier and my colleagues in the Cabinet for their support and guidance.
* The Chairperson and members of the standing committee on Safety and Security for their support
* Provincial Commissioner and his management
* Provincial Community Police Structures
* Officials from the Department of Correctional Services
* Civil Society of the Eastern Cape
* Faith-Based Organisations
* Business in the Eastern Cape
* Departmental officials.
It is when we act together in a “People’s Contract” that we can be able to bring about peace, security and comfort in this province.
Finally, Madam Speaker and Honourable Members, we as the Department of Safety and Liaison, present our programme of action to the people of the Eastern Cape in our attempt to bring about “Peace, Security and Comfort” to all.
List of 29 Priority Police Stations identified for the EU-Funded Programme Area
* East London: King William’s Town, Mdantsane, Vulindlela, Inyibiba and Duncan Village
* Area Queenstown: Queenstown and Msobomvu
* Area Grahamstown: Grahamstown, Peddie and Alice
* Area Mthatha: Mthatha Central, Lusikisiki, Tsolo, Flagstaff, Port St Johns, Mount Frere and Ngangelizwe
* Area Drakensburg: Aliwal North, Maluti, Sterkspruit and Elliot
* Area Karoo: Cradock and Graaff-Reinet
* Area Port Elizabeth: KwaZakhele, New Brighton, Motherwell and Gelvandale
* Area Uitenhage: KwaNobuhle and Kamesh.
Issued by: Department of Safety and Liaison, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
18 March 2005
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: Mhlahlo: Eastern Cape Safety and Liaison Prov Budget Vote 2005/2006
Provincial Safety and Liaison Policy speech for 2005/6, delivered by MEC Thobile Mhlahlo, at the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature
Madame Speaker
Honourable Premier
Honourable members
Invited Guests
Ladies and Gentleman
“There shall be peace, security and comfort”
The Congress of the People, 50 years ago, declared total emancipation from political, social and national oppression through the Freedom Charter.
They believed that the Freedom Charter would remain a lasting solution for our country.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this Charter, we pay tribute to all those who made it possible for us to sit in this house, united in diversity, committed to realise a better life for all in South Africa.
This address further seeks to pay tribute to all our law enforcement agencies and the people who selflessly worked closely with them to ensure that we uphold the values and principles enshrined in the Freedom Charter, which amongst others, include Peace, Security and Comfort.
Before proceeding further, I would also like to pay tribute to the stalwart of the movement and first Premier of the Eastern Cape, Raymond Mhlaba, whom we have laid to rest a few weeks ago.
Oom Ray, together with other gallant fighters of his generation have made an indelible contribution to our hard-won democracy as they ensured that we realised the vision of the Freedom Charter, of a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it.
Madam Speaker, this year we celebrate 10 years of the SAPS Act, which was promulgated in 1995. The historical fact about this Act is that it brought about a fundamental change of transforming the police from a “force” to a “service” that recognises individual freedoms and accountable to the people it serves. It further brought about closer interaction between the police and the communities they serve.
On behalf of this House and the people of the Eastern Cape, I would like to congratulate all members of the SAPS for continuing to transform into an arm of the state that upholds the values of the Freedom Charter, i.e. Peace, Security and Comfort.
Madam Speaker, the Provincial Growth and Development Plan will only succeed if we manage our crime levels and ensure peace and stability in our province to realise its vision, which is to make the “Eastern Cape a compelling place to live, work and invest in”.
Honourable Members, this address seeks to achieve further and visible advances with regard to the improvement of the quality of life of all our people, affecting many critical areas of social existence, including safety and security, moral regeneration, and social cohesion.
Last year, I made certain commitments to this House on behalf of the Department of Safety and Liaison. These included:
* Enlistment of 1183 entry-level constables and 295 Public Service Act personnel in the SAPS. I am glad to report that we have managed to enlist 1010 constables and 318 Public Service Act personnel.
* Enhancement of female representativity, particularly Africans, in senior ranks of the police service. From 01 April 2004 to February 2005, 133 females were promoted and of this, 96 were Africans.
* Finalised the implementation of Resolution 7 of 2002 in the SAPS. This process has increased representativity broadly in the SAPS and further enhanced service delivery at station level.
* Purchased 807 vehicles at a cost of R78 million. This has enhanced the police response to complaints and improved service delivery.
* Ensuring continuous coordination of the Criminal Justice Forum by the Department, which has seen greater cooperation and integration of services along the Constitutional principle of co-operative governance.
* Addressing overcrowding in our correctional centres. We convened a successful provincial workshop to address overcrowding of prisons. One of the identified strategies was the marketing of community-based sentences.
* Strengthening our anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Joint Anti-Corruption Task Team, this has thus far investigated 727 cases bringing about 315 arrests and 144 convictions.
* Piloting the national monitoring tool for civilian oversight to ensure improved SAPS service delivery.
* Completion of an evaluation regarding the implementation of equity and resource allocation in SAPS.
* Conducting eight (8) HIV-Aids workshops at different policing areas.
* Hosting a strategic planning session for the Provincial Community Police Board.
* Hosting a Second National Consultative Conference on Community Safety Forums. This conference succeeded in bringing together the different spheres of government and recognising the important role of all stakeholders in crime prevention, in particular local government.
* Embarking on 10 social crime prevention projects to engage youth and various organs of civil society. These projects were held in different parts of the province and some of the highlights, include:
1. Launch of the Mhlontlo Community Safety Plan in Qumbu, which is aimed at enhancing the municipalities’ local economic development initiatives through social crime prevention programmes.
2. Sports Against Crime in Mdantsane and Motherwell, which both featured PSL clubs, Bush Bucks and Kaizer Chiefs. More than 20 000 people attended each event. The purpose was to mobilise the youth in these urban renewal nodes to participate in social crime prevention programmes.
3. Steve Tshwete Schools Sport Games held in all eight (8) policing areas in the province with the purpose of encouraging school-going children to stay away from bad habits.
4. Moral Regeneration Summit held in Port Elizabeth to mobilise various organs of civil society to assist in moral renewal programmes.
5. Multi-Denominational Reconciliation Service held in Port Elizabeth attended by more than 6000 people. The objectives of this service were to:
* Present our challenges to both the church and other religions to establish a platform for joint actions against crime
* Jointly champion reconciliation between members of the community, who were victimised due to police actions during the apartheid regime
* Cement good working relations between the police and communities they serve
* Promote inter-sectoral approach in dealing with lawlessness.
In July 2005, we will host a similar event in the Tsolo-Qumbu area in an effort to bring about reconciliation between the people of that area.
Honourable Members, the Provincial Commissioner and I, together with the SAPS senior management, visited all eight (8) police areas with the purpose of assessing service delivery and challenges facing the police.
I am satisfied that the police of the Eastern Cape are ready to take up the challenge of fighting crime vigorously and jointly with the communities of this province.
Madam Speaker, crime trends in the past financial year had seen a reduction in contact crimes of between 3% and 6%. Contact crimes are murder, attempted murder, rape and assault.
Property related crimes over the past year reflect an 11% decrease. However, there are still certain police areas, where the above crimes are in excess.
During his State of the Nation Address in 2004, President Thabo Mbeki challenged our law enforcement agencies to arrest the 200 most wanted criminals countrywide.
Of the 200, 10 were identified in the Eastern Cape and I am glad to report that through the hard work and coordination of our law enforcement agencies, eight (8) of them are now behind bars.
Madam Speaker, the challenge bestowed upon us by the President is to realise a crime-free society, where Peace, Security and Comfort prevails.
In response to the government’s call regarding firearm amnesty, 1871 firearms were retrieved in this Province thus far. Of these, 533 were confiscated through police operations, 311 illegal firearms voluntary returned, and 1027 legal firearms voluntary returned. A total of 33 832 rounds of ammunition have also been retrieved. (These statistics are up until the 9th of March 2005).
The above was achieved through the coordination and integration of our security agencies, namely SAPS, SANDF, and Traffic Officers etc.
Numerous joint operations like Operation Bite, Operation Thorne, Operation Sethunya, Operation Goodnight and Operation Vulindlela, have all contributed in bringing about peace and stability in this Province by addressing high crime areas and contract crimes in particular.
A total of 1 087 operations were held realising 59 560 arrests.
These arrests were, amongst other things, for illegal possession of firearms, drugs, property and contact crimes.
We commend the people of the Eastern Cape for realising that unlimited access to firearms can threaten our safety and undermine our peace and stability in our communities.
Madam Speaker, the success by the law enforcement agencies to ensure peace and stability in our province has also unfortunately brought about loss of life to outstanding police members, while on duty.
These members have been the pillar of our society and with your permission, Madam Speaker, allow this House to observe a moment of silence in their honour.
Honourable Members, as a contribution to the achievement to the Provincial Growth and Development Plan, the Department of Safety and Liaison will strengthen its oversight function over SAPS to realise “public sector and institutional transformation in support of improved service delivery to our communities”.
It is from this point Madam Speaker that we commit ourselves as the Department of Safety and Liaison to strive towards the achievement of the goal of creating an environment, where there is “Peace, Security and Comfort”.
Our broad objectives to achieve the above will be to:
* Strengthen the fight against crime
* Deepen the involvement of communities in social crime prevention programmes
* Better aligning the work of the various crime prevention agencies
* Continue to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
In the coming year, in strengthening the fight against crime, the SAPS together with other law enforcement agencies will:
* Work in an integrated and coordinated approach to reduce the levels of crime, particularly contact crimes to ensure that we achieve a reduction of at least between 5% - 8%
* Ensure that the Eastern Cape communities feel the presence of law enforcement agencies in rooting out criminals by having at least 1 175 operations to enhance peace and stability
* Deepen the involvement of communities in social crime prevention programmes, which will see our CPFs being strengthened and capacitated to carry out their mandate and further engage our communities in social crime prevention projects such as Sports Against Crime and Safer Schools Projects. We will continue encouraging our communities to actively participate in sector policing through Sector Crime Forums.
Better aligning the work of our crime prevention agencies calls upon us and all spheres of government, together with civil society to work together to bring about peace and stability in our communities.
The Department of Safety and Liaison will:
* Strengthen its relationship with the district municipalities and the Nelson Mandela Metro to assist with the establishment of district community safety forums so as to ensure an integrated approach to crime prevention in the Province
* Finalise and ensure the adoption of the Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy. A working document format of this strategy has been circulated and your input will be appreciated
* Continue to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System through coordinating the Provincial Criminal Justice Forum. The last few years have seen the opening of Integrated Justice Court Centres in Port Elizabeth, East London and last month in Queenstown and Mthatha. In this coming financial year, centres of this magnitude will be opened in Uitenhage, Zwelitsha and New Brighton.
Madam Speaker, last year, the Minister of Correctional Services gave me a mandate to oversee the operations of the Correctional Service Centres in the Province.
This department has seen a remarkable change in its development with the establishment of a White Paper on Corrections. This transition is about placing rehabilitation at the centre of all departmental activities in partnership with external stakeholders. One of the main focus areas of the white paper is “Corrections as a Social Responsibility”.
To deal with overcrowding, the Department of Correctional Services has established a Provincial Task Team to monitor and control the overcrowding problem in our correctional centres. Mechanisms have been put in place to try and alleviate the problem by promoting the use of community- based sentences.
About 33 escapes took place in Correctional Service Centres in the Province.
This year, escapes and reduction thereof will also be prioritised and a strategy has been compiled to achieve no escapes.
As part of recognising corrections as a social responsibility, the establishment of a new Correctional Supervision and Parole Board has been completed and will now start its work. A key transformation initiative is the fact that all chairpersons of these boards will be community members.
Madam Speaker, this year in the SAPS will see:
* The enlistment of 2544 entry-level Constables and 70 Public Service Act personnel
* The purchase of approximately 500 vehicles at a cost of R73 million
* Infrastructure expenditure of over R100 million will be spent on alterations at the Police Provincial Headquarters in Zwelitsha; Mthatha Training College and the police stations of Motherwell; Sulenkama; Sterkspruit; Bhisho, Cradock, Lusikisiki Police Station, Hlababomvu and Mdantsane NU1
* A further R10 million will be spent on water, electricity and sewerage at various police stations, amongst others, Kwaaiman, Bityi and Mbizina
* The training of 12 913 police members on dealing with family violence, investigations of commercial crime, forensics, border policing, labour relations and K53.
As per our Constitutional mandate, we will continue monitoring the South African Police Service with a view to ensure it fulfils its obligations of upholding the values and principles of community policing in a democratic society.
To this end, the department undertakes to:
* Promote the Batho Pele Campaign by ensuring that at least 70% of all police personnel in community service centres have name badges.
This will assist community members to identify police members assisting them.
* Continuously monitor strides towards achieving equity and resource distribution in SAPS with a focus on specialised units
* Evaluate and assess procurement practices in SAPS
* Assess and evaluate recruitment practices in SAPS
* Assess the training capacity of SAPS
* Assess the HIV-Aids strategies within SAPS
* Support the legislative review process of legislation impacting on Safety and Security e.g. participate in the development of the New Safety and Security Act
* Facilitate the development of a uniform constitution for community policing structures in the Eastern Cape
* Oversee CPF elections, which are to take place towards the end of the year
* Monitor SAPS strategies to reduce contact crimes at identified police stations
* Promote moral regeneration of our society through at least six (6) campaigns in the Province
* Continue marketing and promoting the Department to the communities through dissemination of information about the services it renders.
In an effort to promote “Peace and Friendship” and enhance NEPAD together with our neighbouring countries, we will host a “Cross-Border Crime Prevention Summit” in Maluti in April. The objective of this summit is to build strong relations with Lesotho so as to curb crimes that affect our people living along the border.
Madam Speaker, the department’s budget of over R13 million will be used to achieve the above initiatives.
Honourable members, through the negotiations between the government of the Republic of South Africa and the European Union, the Eastern Cape Province has secured funding to an amount of R250 million for support to policing of crimes against women and children.
This programme will be implemented over a five-year period with Phase 1 lasting for two years and Phase 2 for three years.
The key result areas for this programme and projected expenditure for this year are as follows:
* An effective provincial crime prevention and reduction strategy focussing on crimes against women and children developed and operationalised – R7 721 970
* SAPS members in the project priority areas have acquired relevant skills and capacities to deliver effective professional services to those affected by crimes against women and children R9 269 995
* Physical resources and infrastructure for delivery of high quality services to those affected by crimes against women and children improved in project priority areas – R14 797 500
* Active community participation and ownership in prevention and addressing of crimes against women and children ensured in project priority areas – R5 502 600
* Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) monitoring and facilitation of compliance with the Domestic Violence Act and other relevant legislation, improved in the Eastern Cape – R2 588 312.
A further amount of R2 051.500 will be spent on expenses relating to the programme coordinating unit. The total expenditure amounting to R41 931.877 will be spent during this financial year.
Madam Speaker, this programme will be implemented at 29 police stations in the Eastern Cape. (A list of these stations is attached) These stations are predominantly in previously disadvantaged areas and will be capacitated to ensure effective service delivery to the communities.
The ending financial year has seen the setting up of infrastructure for this programme (offices, staff, etc.)
This programme will also give life to the “Victims Charter” through establishment of Victim Support Centres at the identified police stations and further capacitate personnel at family, sexual offences and child protection units in the Eastern Cape.
Activities in this programme include the roll out of community safety forums to more municipalities beyond the pilot projects so as to ensure that they become active partners in coordinating social crime prevention.
In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation to the Premier and my colleagues in the Cabinet for their support and guidance.
* The Chairperson and members of the standing committee on Safety and Security for their support
* Provincial Commissioner and his management
* Provincial Community Police Structures
* Officials from the Department of Correctional Services
* Civil Society of the Eastern Cape
* Faith-Based Organisations
* Business in the Eastern Cape
* Departmental officials.
It is when we act together in a “People’s Contract” that we can be able to bring about peace, security and comfort in this province.
Finally, Madam Speaker and Honourable Members, we as the Department of Safety and Liaison, present our programme of action to the people of the Eastern Cape in our attempt to bring about “Peace, Security and Comfort” to all.
List of 29 Priority Police Stations identified for the EU-Funded Programme Area
* East London: King William’s Town, Mdantsane, Vulindlela, Inyibiba and Duncan Village
* Area Queenstown: Queenstown and Msobomvu
* Area Grahamstown: Grahamstown, Peddie and Alice
* Area Mthatha: Mthatha Central, Lusikisiki, Tsolo, Flagstaff, Port St Johns, Mount Frere and Ngangelizwe
* Area Drakensburg: Aliwal North, Maluti, Sterkspruit and Elliot
* Area Karoo: Cradock and Graaff-Reinet
* Area Port Elizabeth: KwaZakhele, New Brighton, Motherwell and Gelvandale
* Area Uitenhage: KwaNobuhle and Kamesh.
Issued by: Department of Safety and Liaison, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
18 March 2005
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
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