Date: 17/04/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Welcoming speech at opening of Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court


EXTRACT FROM WELCOMING SPEECH BY THE WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE KHAYELITSHA COURT, 17 April 2003

The Provincial Government of the Western Cape is particularly pleased that the committed partnership between national, provincial and local government, to stamp out crime and gangsterism in our communities, is today taking another major step forward.

Although it has been operating to a degree since October last year, the Khayelitsha Court will soon be firing on all cylinders. With 4 of the 14 courts already active, and the additional 10 to be phased in over the next 10 months, this facility is a key component in our plans to tackle crime and especially gang violence head-on in the Western Cape.

It is significant that, of the 54 magistrates courts in our 42 magisterial districts, this is the single largest court structure in the province. It also fills a very important role in the Khayelitsha community - which has been plagued by crime and violence. On average, there have been more 30 rapes a month, more than 200 assaults, and more than 30 murders. For the past two months in fact, Khayelitsha has had the highest murder rate in South Africa.

What emerges clearly from these figures is that efforts to address this situation must be much wider than just law enforcement and effective policing. The nature of these crimes, and indeed of most crime in the province, is that it targets those members of our communities least able to defend themselves. The opening of this new Khayelitsha Court makes a real contribution of much-needed community infrastructure, by providing special courts in the form of specific sexual offences and children's courts. Housing community NGOs, and dealing with child maintenance matters, estates and family matters in addition to criminal and civil matters, it will also be accessible and user-friendly for disabled people and vulnerable groups like women and children.

On behalf of the people and Government of the Western Cape, I would like to extend our appreciation to the President and the national government for their ongoing support of our partnership to eradicate crime in our communities. The new abalone court in Hermanus, the joint operations with the SAPS, SANDF and our local police, the allocation of new police recruits to the province, more focused co-ordination between the SAPS, Justice and Correctional Services, and the much-improved cooperation between all spheres of government is already making a difference.

Crime, especially organised crime, is not a problem which we will be able to solve in a mater of days or weeks - it is deeply rooted in poverty, and has been allowed to grow relatively unchecked for many years. We are determined though to take back our streets and our communities. This is a battle we will win - and this new court will assist us in that endeavour.

Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp, Cell: 083-778-9923
Issued by the Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial Government, 17 April 2003