Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
MEC FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY, GAUTENG, PAUL MASHATILE'S SPEECH TO BE DELIVERED AT THE NORWOOD COMMUNITY POLICING FORUM
"THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY POLICING FORUMS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME"
I feel honored to be given this opportunity of addressing you for the first time as the new MEC for Public Safety and Security in Gauteng. A daunting responsibility indeed, which, I am sure we all agree, is one of the biggest facing the government and indeed the people of Gauteng, in the quest to build happier and safer life for all in the province.
As you may be aware, as part of my approach to this new and huge task, I have appointed a Task Team of professional and able men and women to assist me to reengineer the Department such that it executes much more effectively and efficiently its constitutional and legal mandate of:
a. monitoring police transformation and service delivery b. ensuring civilian oversight over the police and c. enhancing the implementation of crime prevention
The Task Team is already working actively and giving weekly advises some of which I implement immediately if need be. The Task Team is expected to complete its whole task by the 31st July this year and I have no doubt that by then we will be ready to discharge our duties much more effectively.
Chairperson, I am also grateful that I have been asked to speak about "The role Community Policing forums (CPF')s should play in fighting against crime".
This topic is not only relevant but very significant in that it symbolises the increased understanding amongst many communities that crime is a threat to our whole society. That crime is enemy number one for all of us and we need to work together in combating and preventing it.
Crime cannot be reduced and criminals can never be defeated by the police alone although it is the primary responsibility of the police. Community involvement is critical to success. This is more so with regard to crimes like rape and child abuse which often happen in homes and are therefore very difficult to police. We need other forms of intervention like more public education and victim support programmes.
Serious areas that we are giving more attention to are the improvement of policing services regarding serious crime.
Violent crimes like murder and hijackings; Crimes against women and children uprooting corruption within the Criminal Justice system and making it more user friendly (CJS) Cracking Organised Crime and Gangsterism.
The CPF have a crucial role in these endeavours not only in the province but the country as a whole. They are a very strong weapon in the hands of the communities to ensure that there is closer cooperation and strong partnership between the police and the community on matters relating to:
a. Timeous and accurate reporting of crimes to the police b. Building the legitimacy of the police in the eyes of the community c. Mobilising and educating the communities about crime prevention d. Ensuring that the SAPS are accountable to the communities they serve e. The building of the culture of respect for the law.
There is a need for the CPF to begin to assist in ensuring that the police remain always focused in their duties. Crimes differ from area to area and therefore each CPF has to work out Programmes of Action that take into account specifics of that area so that the resources are appropriately utilised.
Our government programme is expressed in the proposed White Paper which the National Minister Mr. Sidney Mufamadi released two weeks ago. It seeks to ensure that more than ever before, the police increase their visibility in the streets, they become better equipped to handle cases more effectively and efficiently such that they:
We invite your CPF, The Area Board and the Provincial Board to participate actively in the coming discussions in the White Paper Public Hearings in the province and this is an opportunity for all to take a difference regarding safety and security in the country and the province.
Currently, the 20 stations located around JHB are being piloted through a project led by Meyer Khan whose objectives are improve service excellence within the SAPS. Our Ministry fully supports this project. The support by Business Against Crime for this initiative gives hope and optimism about the future. The time has come for all of us to make a contribution to the betterment of our country. For the sake of our children our future, WE DARE NOT FAIL!
Criminality knows no race, no gender, no age, no religion and no political affiliation. It affects us all. We must combat it together. We urge the CPF to mobilise all strata and sectors of society, irrespective of social, religious, political or ideological affiliation into crime prevention.
It is also important that when we deal with issues of crime we should fully grasp its context as well as its complexity.
The country is presently undergoing fundamental transformation including the police services. This entails having to focus a great deal to areas and communities that were previously disadvantaged; making sure that there is equitable distribution of resources across the racial divide.
Accordingly, the CPF should monitor and enhance the transformation process in the SAPS. The CPF should also take an part in assisting the SAPS with resources and skills in order to fulfill their duties.
It is also important that the CPF's monitor the implementation of the Code of Conduct within the Police. The police can and are indeed making many arrests and reducing or stabilising many crimes. However, if the courts and correctional services are weak, we will continue to have serious criminals getting bail and low sentences and also escaping from prisons. Thus our focus on re-engineering the whole criminal justice system into an effective deterrent through the NCPS.
In this regard I implore the CPF and the community at large mobilise all the community members and the police in the area to that the CPF;
becomes fully representative of the community across the political economic and social spectrum in its programmes as well as structures.
That the CPF works closely with the Local government and Sec 59 committees on crime prevention.
There has to be closer relations and interaction between my Office, the Secretariat for Safety and Security in terms of coordination, priorities and programmes.
The role of the CPF should be further deepened to have crime prevention programmes in conjunction with local government particularly with regard to public education on criminality as well as victim support and empowerment.
Crime cannot be fought and defeated by a magic wand from an individual. It needs us to work together and I want to assure you that my entire office and I will continue to support the initiatives of the CPF.
I therefore thank you.
Issued by: Ministry for Public Safety and Security, Gauteng
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