News Letter – Latest Post
- Policing Accountability Engagement in Chris Hani
on the 15 of August 2023, the Department of Community Safety through Chris Hani District held Policing Accountability engagement session at Tylden, Queenstown. The aim of the programme was to grant community an opportunity to engage with stakeholders and come up with solutions to address the act of criminal activities in the area.
The stakeholders that graced the programme with their presence were the Department of Community Safety, South African Police Services, Department of Correctional Services, Department of Social Development and Farmers association.
The community members raised issues of stock theft, domestic violence, drug abuse assault and murder in the community. The Department of Social Development was urged to intervene and provide their services to the victims of the committed crimes.
The Department of Community Safet Chris Hani District Manager Mr Sizwe Sikwebu encouraged the community of Tylden to work hand in hand with the police and report perpetrators of criminal activities.
- Release of 1st quarter Crime Statistics.
On the 08th of September 2023, the Department of Community Safety’s MEC Xolile Nqatha held a Crime Statistics Release for the 1st Quarter of 2023/24 financial year at Matatiele Council Chamber in Matatiele, Alfred Ndzo District.
The stakeholders that graced the event with their presence were South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Community Safety (DoCS), Community Policing Forum (CPF) Department of Department of Correctional Services and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).
The statistics outlined an increase of stock theft in Matatiele and other surrounding areas which are close to the Lesotho border, however there has been a significant decrease in Murder cases, Theft, Rape and Motor vehicle theft throughout the province.
The districts that have been identified as hotspot areas are O.R Tambo, Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality and Buffalo City Municipality. The MEC urged with various stakeholders and the community at large to work hand in hand with SAPS in the fight against crime, he also applauded the South African Police Service of Eastern Cape for their sterling work.
The MEC of Department of Community Safety Mr Xolile Nqatha welcomed the release of 1st quarter crime statistics.
- MEC Visit Adbucted families.
On 17 July 2023, the Department of Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha together with Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, attended the court appearance of three susspects who were arrested for the alleged gruesome killing of General Store onwner Zoleka Gantana and her assistant Kholosa Mpunga in East London Magistrate Court.
Gantana 57, and her employee, Mpunga were abducted during a robbery at the business in Ncerha .The police discovered their dismembered bodies, which were beyond recognition.MEC Nqatha commends police for arresting the three suspects .The case has been postponed to 18 August 2023 and the suspects have remanded in custody
- MEC visits the bereaved families in Lusikisiki
On 14 July 2023 the Department of Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha together with MEC Nkopane, Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene and Community Safety Head of Department Mr Vuyani Mapolisa paid a compassionate visit to the bereaved family of a woman who was brutally killed in Lusikisiki.
- Youth Induction Programme
On 30 June 2023, the Department’s Special Programme Unit held a Youth Forum Induction at Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg, King William’s Town under the theme: “Accelerating Youth Economic Empowerment for a Sustainable Future”.
The stakeholders that graced the event with their presence are the South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Community Safety (DoCS), and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Office of the Premier, Let Us Find Them, South African Youth Council, National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Young Men and Women in Business, Eastern Cape Men’s Movement and Masimanyane Women’s Rights International.
The youth structure was established with an aim to address issues affecting young people both internally and externally, with a goal to have a well transformed, motivated, proactive and community impact makers as well as a platform to give the youth an opportunity to express their ideas, opinions and needs to decision making, community staff and other youth. There are 5 competencies of a healthy youth, these are: Positive Sense of Self, Self-Control, Decision Making Skills, a Moral System of Belief and Pro-social Connectedness.
The Department of Community Safety’s MEC Xolile Nqatha, spoke on the importance of a youth forum structure and the constitution which guides its processes and functioning. The commemoration of the youth month aims to recognize the contributions of young people to society, to raise awareness of the challenges they face and give young people direction. It is important to reflect on the sacrifices made and the importance of education in transforming lives. Continuation to strive, to equal access, to equality education for all, empowering young people to unlock their full potential and shape a better future. “There is nothing as important as knowing where you come from, where you are and where you are going. Freedom did not come for free because those that came before us made huge sacrifices”, said MEC Nqatha, while emphasizing the importance of conducting ourselves as young people, and the need to lead by example to our peers.
