Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
The MEC for Public Safety and Security, Gauteng, Mr. Paul Mashatile, has vowed to prioritise the combating and prevention of crimes against women and children in the province through improvement of victim support programmes as well as monitoring effective police services to women and children.
"I have put the issue of prevention of crimes against women and children high on the agenda of my new Department. We are already putting systems in place for immediate implementation as this issue is very urgent." The MEC said.
Speaking at the "Public Hearings on Sexual Harassment" held in Braamfontein today, the MEC also said that the focus of the Ministry's programmes is on ensuring that:
a. Strong partnerships are built between the Government; Non Governmental - Organisation (NGO's); Business; Civil Society and Communities at large on women issues.
b. There is the development of Public Education Programmes to Empower Women about their rights.
c. The police render effective services to women who are victims of crime.
"We are committed to transform the Criminal Justice System into an effective deterrent against criminality, especially serious ones like murder and rape, The good police investigative work as well as the life sentence imposed on Dan Mabote are pointers in the right direction. The communities must feel that justice is done at all times and the criminals should get a clear message, we shall make sure that they are arrested, prosecuted and punished for the heinous crimes they commit." The MEC further said.
The Public Hearings were organised by the Sexual Harassment Education Project and were attended by representatives from the Department of Labour, Business, a Member of Parliament, NGO's as well as members of the Public.
Issued by : Ministry for Public Safety and Security, Gauteng Enquiries : Mbulelo Musi or Delca Maluleke Tel : (011) 355-1800 Fax : (011) 355-1860 Cell : 082 571 3591 or 083 631 3313