Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
The MEC for Public Safety and Security, Gauteng, Mr. Paul Mashatile, outlined that monitoring police effectiveness and efficiency; initiating social crime prevention as well as improving police - community relations are going to be the main Department priorities in preventing crimes against women and children.
"I have prioritised the issue of combating and preventing crimes against women in the Deparment and have implored the police to do as such. We are focusing on building more capacity within the police service, the community and are also intensifying education and empowerment programmes for women." The MEC said.
The MEC said this whilst visiting the Vaal Rand this morning where he met with the entire police management, the sixteen (16) Community Policing Forums (CFP's) as well organisations dealing with violence against women.
The meetings agreed on the need to build a strong partnership between the government locally and provincially with the Non - Governmental Organisations (NGO's) as well as civil society at large.
The police briefed the MEC about the crime situation pertaining the Area with specific reference to crimes against women. The reports reflected a marked improvement on service to women victims. They also highlighted problems of shortage of resources and the need for more training.
"I will be discussing these matters with the Provincial Commissioner. We are however addressing some of them as we are building a police station in Orange Farm at the cost of five (5) million Rands. It will have the necessary equipment like the trauma centre to service victims properly." The MEC said.
The MEC also said that more attention will be given to coordination with other Departments and Local government in this regard.
The Community Policing Forums noted the improved relations between the police and the community but also emphasised the need for more accountability and transparency whilst the NGO's have agreed with to work with the MEC and the Department on victim - support programmes and training of the police. They have also called on the MEC to give more attention to improve services to areas that are in dire need like Poortjie Finetown and Orange Farm.
Issued by: Ministry for Public Safety and Security Gauteng.
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