News Letter – Latest Post
- Policing Accountability Engagement and Public Education Campaign.
On the 24 May 2023, the Department of Community Safety through the OR Tambo district held a Policing Accountability Engagement and Public Education Campaign to address the spike of criminal activities under the theme “MUSA UKUTHULA KUSONAKALA” at Mankosi administrative area in Ngqeleni.
The event was graced by the presence of the community members and stakeholders from various departments namely; Department of Labour, Social Development, Alwande ulwazi, South African Police Services (SAPS), Sange Social Change, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), One to One (NGO) , Community Police Forum (CPF) and Correctional Services.
The audience spoke on the issues of policing in the area and the surrounding areas, while outlining how these were affecting their livelihood. The main issue was the Police response time in attending to issues of crime and misdemeanour as a result of the travel time to the various areas that the Police caters for, this is as a result of the poor conditions of the roads in the region and the distance in which the Police have to travel to get to the various areas to render their service. The killing of Tourists and rape amongst the elderly have also been highlighted as one of the concerning matters in the area.
The Department will compile a report and forward all the concerns to the relevant departments, and they will update them on the progress made in trying to resolve their issues.
- MEC NQATHA VISITED TWO BEREAVED FAMILIES AT PHOLA PARK IN DIMBAZA TOWNSHIP
MEC Xolile Nqatha of the Department of Community Safety, visited two bereaved families to express his profound condolescenes for the passing of two sons of their families. His visit to the two bereaved families took place at Phola Park in Dimbaza township on the 11 of May. 2023.It transpired that the two sons were gunned- down by heavily armed thugs who shot them at close -blank range in the same street.The distance between the two families is about 100 meters. One of them was a (17) year old pupil and other one was twenty three (23) years old, and the visit to these families was very emotional .
“Our police will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the perpetrators face the wrath of the law. Arrests are imminent at any time from now, rest assured our police will find them, for them to account for their horrible acts .You may cry but at the end of the there is light.May God give you strength to deal effectively with these great losses and sorrows” Said MEC Nqatha
- Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha, held a massive Community Safety Outreach Programme under the theme: “Musa Ukuthula Kusonakala” in the Joe Gqabi District, covering Walter Sisulu, Senqu and Elundini Local Municipalities, from the 18th to the 20th April 2023. The aim of this programme was to provide an opportunity for the community members to raise their concerns on issues of crime.
- The Department of Community Safety scoops awards at the Provincial Batho-Pele awards ceremony.
The Court Watching Brief Programme of the Department of Community Safety won the Premier’s Award of being the BEST IMPLEMENTED PROJECT OF THE YEAR, at the Provincial Batho Pele Service Excellence and Innovations Ceremony, which was held on the 9 March 2023, at Hemingway’s Hotel in East London.
- POLICING ACCOUNTABILITY AND STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME HELD AT LIMAKATSO BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN ALIWAL NORTH
The Department of Community Safety (DoCS) through the Joe Gqabi District Office held a Policing Accountability and Stakeholders` Engagement Programme, at Limakatso Boutique Hotel in Aliwal North on the 28 February 2023.
Ms Phumla Nqakula the Chief Director of Community Safety Branch, in giving the purpose of the day she said the criminal activities plaguing the district were among others, the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), as well as assaults, emanating from prevalent substance abuse in these areas, according to the crime statistics released.
“We are therefore, gathered here today to afford all stakeholders an opportunity to make inputs into strategies of crime prevention,” she added.
This was backed-up by Mr Martin Sycholt the Director of Research and Policy in DoCS who echoed the same sentiments in his report that were uttered by Ms Nqakula: “Gender-Based Violence and Femicide as well as assaults, were as a result of the vicious circle of poverty that people find themselves in, as well as high unemployment rate and inequality in these areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Colonel Septimus Manerwich and Lieutenant Colonel Moloisane Station Commanders both said in giving the crime overview, that the house robbery, aggravated assaults, slight increase in business robbery, robbery with firearm, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, rape, stock theft, GBVF, murder, and burglaries, were among the contributory factors to the spike of crime in these areas.
The success of the programme was made possible by the presence of high-profile representatives from the South African Police Service (SAPS), Community Police Forum (CPF), Department of Education and School Governing Body, Taxi Association, Woman to Woman, Man against crime, Sanco, Department of Social Development, Ward Committees, Community Safety Forum (CSF), Ward Councilors, Department of Justice, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Joe Gqabi District Municipality, Walter Sisulu University, Ministers Fraternal (Abefundisi), and Community Safety provincial and district.
