Ministers of Safety and Security, Intelligence, Correctional Services and Justice and Constitutional Development
Delegated MP's to this House
Ladies and Gentlemen
Chairperson, let me first take this opportunity and congratulate the ANC for yet another victory we achieved in the Western Cape.
Last week 23 June 04 five bi elections in the DA controlled wards took place. The ANC won two from DA-and took control of a town. Our organisation will now elect a mayor from this caring movement soon
It means, that out there our people are beginning to realise that the ANC is the party that carries the hopes of all the people of this country, Black, White, Coloured and Indian.
Two weeks ago, in Provincial Legislature during a budget debate we made it clear that: western cape is no longer an isolated province, but part of the rest of our country.
On the 14th April this year, our people went to the elections having a common understanding: that they would want to see the Province of the Western Cape be governed by a party that has been the voice of all the peoples of this country since 1912.
The party that started delivering a better life to all our people since it took over on 1994 democratic breakthrough to date.
In the province we are ready to confront all the challenge head on. The ANC led provincial government is determined to make the Western Cape a 'Home for its entire people- Black and White'.
It is for this reason, that as Provincial Minister that I committed myself to work with my colleagues in the Province by ensuring that the levels of crime and violence against Women and children- are reduced at all times.
It is no secret that the Western Cape is grappling with gangsterism, crime and organised crime.
Some of these crimes, like gangsterism has its roots deep within the affected communities. To them this has become a way of life.
Chairperson many innocent young sons of mothers and fathers have died in the process, as they would wage wars in the protection of turf of gangs.
When our Premier addressed the Provincial Legislature last month, he committed all of his Provincial Ministers, including me, to 20 service delivery building blocks to the people of the Western Cape.
Chief amongst these building blocks is the President's call that we arrest the 200 identified high-flyer gang leaders in this country. And some of those are of course in the Western Cape.
The President gave instruction for the arrest of 200 top criminals. That call was supported by further instructions by the Premier Ebrahim Rasool-that at least 3 high flyers be arrested within 100 days.
Two weeks ago, our policemen and women further strengthened our case with the arrest of a drug lord, and seizing Mandrax tablets worth R3, 5 million at a house of a well-known drug dealer in Elsie River.
As part of a clampdown/takedown strategy, the Western cape will start implementing POCA (prevention of organised crime act) with special focus on GANG membership.We hope to receive full support from National Government-Leadership, on these endeavours.
As demonstrated by our law enforcement agencies that we walk the talk- seven Gang members of the Cisko Yakkies, the Americans and Dixie Boys - well known gangs in the Cape Flats, are behind bars and are being prosecuted at various Magistrates' courts under the POCA act.
The Western Cape Government appreciate the support given by the National Government in ensuring that Police personnel is increase from what the 11 000-we inherited, to the current 18 000 police personnel. This will further increase to about 20 000 by 2006.
We can clearly see that the said increases would make it possible for us to take back our streets and public places.
We are happy that, 400 railway police, after training next January 2005, would be back on our trains- to enforce safety on metro-rail.
Chairperson, with respect to the Independent Complaints Directorate in the Western Cape.
It is our considered view that the integrity of this Directorate is critical for the important work of pursuing the Constitutional imperative.
We can sum this up by saying- that attention being given to the ICD at the moment should be intensified for its optimal functioning, in the Province.
Chairperson understanding the direction that we must build partnerships with our people- we initiated an approach which is about people working together in tandem with government/ police in the fight against crime.
This particular approach was launched with Min Nqakula at Khayelitsha stadium with 25 000 on the 9th Feb 03. More support became evident during the 2003 festive season where about 3500 ordinary people who volunteered their services in defence of their communities assisted the police, in the fighting crime everywhere in the province.
As provincial government we will be investigating how we could get the 3500 volunteers active in terms of EPWP guidelines with daily stipends.With Bambanani against crime programme- A people's contract to fight crime during Dec 03 to Jan 04, we witnessed a decline in general crime by 18% compared to same period in previous years.
We also witnessed a decline of murder by 34 %. For the same period road fatalities dropped by 32%.
The President- President Mbeki has urged us to make this year, a year of delivery, bringing government programmes to our people and build people contract and make our community safer.
This brings me to a matter of public importance, the use and trade in drugs on the Cape Flats- And to our programme to empower community to fight this scourge.
Chairperson, with the National Minister of Safety and Security, Premier, Dep Min Shabangu, and MEC Dugmore addressed the community of Mitchell's Plain last week urging them to join our crusade against drugs.
Many young scholars have become victims of a new fashionable drug called TIK- drug that is highly addictive. LOLLIPOP, STRAW.
I am glad to announce our men and women in blue, the South African Police Services, have been hard at work hunting down those who are dealing in this drug and other forms of drugs.
On wed 30 June o4, I will table a business plan to Western Cape cabinet to deal with this tik drug and thereafter we will seek discussions with National Government so that we could receive appropriate support.
Chairperson, the Western Cape is on course to make this Province a safer Home for its entire People.
It is for this reason that the work of the integrated criminal justice cluster should be intensified.
We believe that, when these agencies work hand in hand, we would be making a huge impact on crime and criminals.
This brings me to the issue of our correctional services department.
It is a matter of public knowledge that activities of some personnel in Pollsmoor prison leave much to be desired.
We are told that corruption is rife at this facility.
When you hear members of the public speak about corruption at this institution- when you read newspapers- or listen to the radio, you will then understand that something must be done about the situation there.
We need as a matter of urgency, a mechanism to deal with gang and gang sub-culture in Pollsmoor.
It is said that at times prison officials turn a blind eye on contraventions, such as drug trafficking and gangsterism, there.
Just weeks ago, an inmate was allowed to attend a funeral in Nyanga and was guarded by the prison warder.
What was strange is to hear that the same prison warder accompanying the inmate agreed to carry liquor bought for the inmate to take back to prison.
For the success of President Mbeki's instructions to " arrest the top 200 high flyers". The government holding institution should guarantee much needed results.
There is a need to stabilise management of Pollsmore prison institution.
To restore the image of this institution, tough decision will have to be taken.
Even if this means the rotation, transfer or deployment of staff away from that institution.
One other consideration must be the cutting down of free access of cell phone communication within the prison boundaries. v
For senior staff at Pollsmore to see nothing wrong in the disruption of a meeting hosted by Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour there, this raises huge concerns about our management at this facility.
I fear a big thing happening at this institution. When armed prison warders, prevent inmates from appearing in court by locking the prison gates. For those gates to be unlocked, by a police task force-mean a big problem is awaiting us.
In a situation like that, anything can happen. To avoid such incidents, swift action would be appropriate.
This institution is a valuable partner in our fight against crime in the Western Cape.
Chairperson, our criminal justice cluster units comprising of SAPS, the Prosecutorial unit, Asset Forfeiture Unit, NIA- is the best model that I am convinced would help us bringing down crime.
And so far we have had successes.
And there is still more to come? let's just watch this space!!
Chairperson, all of these efforts are part and parcel of a collective plan to make our Province safe from gangs, drug lords and criminals.
To give further impetus to our plans, Cape Town Partnership, city of Cape Town and the province, can report that the province is progressing well with its preparatory work with regard to opening of Community courts, Special priority courts, and other family court services with special focus to rural areas.
However there are issues that will require special attention by the National Minister and the responsible departments.
To avoid undue delays, we will have to speed up allocation of resources both human and material. In this connection we must insist that when the policy and decision makers take policy decisions, the implementers must implement without hesitation.
What we want to see is for our people to live peacefully in our province.
However, our people cannot be able to participate, trade and invest in a Province, which is threatened by gang warfare, drug trade, drug syndicates and criminals.
This, we will never allow. Time is now to act and make the western cape safe-"Home for all
I THANK YOU!!!!
Enquiries: Makhaya ManiMedia Liaison Officer
Ministry of Community Safety
Cell: 082 780 4493
