Date: 11/02/2003
Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government
Title: Peters: Sod turning ceremony of new police station in N Cape
SPEECH BY THE NORTHERN CAPE MEC FOR HEALTH, MS DIPUO PETERS, AT THE OCCASION OF THE SOD TURNING CEREMONY OF A POLICE STATION, Kuruman, 11 February 2003
Programme Director
MEC for Safety & Liaison, Ms C Seoposengwe
Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner
Distinguished Guests
Members of the SAPS
Ladies and Gentlemen
This day marks a significant milestone in the history of the province in general and the fight against crime in particular.
Today we are once more proving wrong those who say our government is investing little resources in fighting crime by constructing this R17 million police station.
This project is a culmination of hard work, dedication and sheer determination to overcome all the obstacles of creating a safe environment.
This is a clear testimony of the ANC-led government's commitment to deliver the much-needed safety and security services for all our people.
We have committed ourselves since 1994 to making sure that all races, social classes and strata are provided with equal and maximum safety and security.
Ladies and Gentlemen, crime constitutes one of the main obstacles to reconstruction and development of our country.
It is an impediment to investment; it stifles economic growth; job creation and also hinders the building of houses, health centres and educational facilities. It is in fact threatening the creation of a better, healthy life for all our people.
Programme Director, it is our sincere belief and hope that the building of this police station will lead to crime reduction in this area and the neighbourhood, particularly serious crimes like rape, murder and robberies, which are currently affecting the entire province and our country as whole.
Our crime prevention strategy's primary objective is to build a nation of citizens who can live co-operatively and affectionately with one another. Build a nation of citizens free from fear of crime.
Collectively, in response to crime, we need to step up and strengthen the community policing forums and street committees in all areas. Work closely with the South African Police Service to foster a united approach to crime prevention.
Our approach must also be to ensure that people are encouraged to report any criminal activity regardless of its insignificance to the police.
The call by the Honourable President to focus on safety and security in Letsema during the month of February is most welcome and a vital step to root out all elements of criminality wherever it manifest itself. This development marks an encouraging start in our efforts to address crime and violence.
We need to work together in cracking down all forms of crime - rape in particular. One cannot allow our nation to degenerate into a nation of rapists and anarchist. The state has to act promptly to allay public fears and create a safe and secure environment for our people.
Our communities must make a significant contribution to isolating criminals. We need to develop communities that are hostile to criminals in order for us to live in peace forever. We must reclaim our streets from the hands of all criminals. Make it difficult and impossible for them to operate freely in our communities.
I am happy that our police officers who will function in these precincts after is completion, will feel motivated and honoured to pursue the high ideals of their vocation as police officers and that they will endeavour to fight against crimes of whatever sort, to rid our society of the perpetrators of all types of criminal activity, but more especially, crimes of violence against women and children.
The challenge facing all of us is to raise awareness about violence against this sector and their right to equality and protection. The burden is on us to ensure that the freedom we have won as a people is not tainted by stupid disregard for human life and in particular, disregard for women and children in our society.
Our country needs dedicated men and women who are not prepared to compromise the oaths they have taken to be steadfast in the business of crime prevention and detection. We need men and women who will stand shoulder to shoulder with their fellow police officers to achieve those objectives of the crime prevention strategy as informed by the Reconstruction and Development Programme.
I take this opportunity to wish all the members of the SAPS success in their endeavours to create a safe and secure environment for our communities. I say to them as the government we will support you in all your plans to create a crime-free South Africa.
I also wish to thank MEC Seoposengwe and her team for their tireless, pioneering work of engineering these projects of restoring back the dignity of our people and giving them hope of a better, healthy life.
MEC Seoposengwe, on behalf of the Northern Cape Government, I want to pay homage to the great majority of our people who are contributing time and energy in the fight against crime in South Africa. They range from business people to reservist and volunteers who answered the President's call to lend a hand to build a better, healthy life for all our people.
All of this defines the move by our people away from our painful past to times of peace and prosperity. This shift to a new mindset is evident everywhere. The level of confidence in the SAPS has risen measurably.
We note the report on the survey done by the institute of security studies, which puts at more than 55% the number of people who trust the police and willingly report crime.
We also further note that more than 70% of our people willingly give evidence in court as witnesses. This is a great achievement and a step in the right direction towards the creation of crime-free South Africa.
I would also like to thank the organisers, the police officers and everybody who has, directly or indirectly, made this event the success it is.
Lastly to the builders - let the construction work begin.
I thank you
Issued by Northern Cape Provincial Government
Source: Northern Cape Provincial Government
Title: Peters: Sod turning ceremony of new police station in N Cape
SPEECH BY THE NORTHERN CAPE MEC FOR HEALTH, MS DIPUO PETERS, AT THE OCCASION OF THE SOD TURNING CEREMONY OF A POLICE STATION, Kuruman, 11 February 2003
Programme Director
MEC for Safety & Liaison, Ms C Seoposengwe
Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner
Distinguished Guests
Members of the SAPS
Ladies and Gentlemen
This day marks a significant milestone in the history of the province in general and the fight against crime in particular.
Today we are once more proving wrong those who say our government is investing little resources in fighting crime by constructing this R17 million police station.
This project is a culmination of hard work, dedication and sheer determination to overcome all the obstacles of creating a safe environment.
This is a clear testimony of the ANC-led government's commitment to deliver the much-needed safety and security services for all our people.
We have committed ourselves since 1994 to making sure that all races, social classes and strata are provided with equal and maximum safety and security.
Ladies and Gentlemen, crime constitutes one of the main obstacles to reconstruction and development of our country.
It is an impediment to investment; it stifles economic growth; job creation and also hinders the building of houses, health centres and educational facilities. It is in fact threatening the creation of a better, healthy life for all our people.
Programme Director, it is our sincere belief and hope that the building of this police station will lead to crime reduction in this area and the neighbourhood, particularly serious crimes like rape, murder and robberies, which are currently affecting the entire province and our country as whole.
Our crime prevention strategy's primary objective is to build a nation of citizens who can live co-operatively and affectionately with one another. Build a nation of citizens free from fear of crime.
Collectively, in response to crime, we need to step up and strengthen the community policing forums and street committees in all areas. Work closely with the South African Police Service to foster a united approach to crime prevention.
Our approach must also be to ensure that people are encouraged to report any criminal activity regardless of its insignificance to the police.
The call by the Honourable President to focus on safety and security in Letsema during the month of February is most welcome and a vital step to root out all elements of criminality wherever it manifest itself. This development marks an encouraging start in our efforts to address crime and violence.
We need to work together in cracking down all forms of crime - rape in particular. One cannot allow our nation to degenerate into a nation of rapists and anarchist. The state has to act promptly to allay public fears and create a safe and secure environment for our people.
Our communities must make a significant contribution to isolating criminals. We need to develop communities that are hostile to criminals in order for us to live in peace forever. We must reclaim our streets from the hands of all criminals. Make it difficult and impossible for them to operate freely in our communities.
I am happy that our police officers who will function in these precincts after is completion, will feel motivated and honoured to pursue the high ideals of their vocation as police officers and that they will endeavour to fight against crimes of whatever sort, to rid our society of the perpetrators of all types of criminal activity, but more especially, crimes of violence against women and children.
The challenge facing all of us is to raise awareness about violence against this sector and their right to equality and protection. The burden is on us to ensure that the freedom we have won as a people is not tainted by stupid disregard for human life and in particular, disregard for women and children in our society.
Our country needs dedicated men and women who are not prepared to compromise the oaths they have taken to be steadfast in the business of crime prevention and detection. We need men and women who will stand shoulder to shoulder with their fellow police officers to achieve those objectives of the crime prevention strategy as informed by the Reconstruction and Development Programme.
I take this opportunity to wish all the members of the SAPS success in their endeavours to create a safe and secure environment for our communities. I say to them as the government we will support you in all your plans to create a crime-free South Africa.
I also wish to thank MEC Seoposengwe and her team for their tireless, pioneering work of engineering these projects of restoring back the dignity of our people and giving them hope of a better, healthy life.
MEC Seoposengwe, on behalf of the Northern Cape Government, I want to pay homage to the great majority of our people who are contributing time and energy in the fight against crime in South Africa. They range from business people to reservist and volunteers who answered the President's call to lend a hand to build a better, healthy life for all our people.
All of this defines the move by our people away from our painful past to times of peace and prosperity. This shift to a new mindset is evident everywhere. The level of confidence in the SAPS has risen measurably.
We note the report on the survey done by the institute of security studies, which puts at more than 55% the number of people who trust the police and willingly report crime.
We also further note that more than 70% of our people willingly give evidence in court as witnesses. This is a great achievement and a step in the right direction towards the creation of crime-free South Africa.
I would also like to thank the organisers, the police officers and everybody who has, directly or indirectly, made this event the success it is.
Lastly to the builders - let the construction work begin.
I thank you
Issued by Northern Cape Provincial Government
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