MEC Shongwe wants to reduce road accidents by 30% this
festive season
09 November 2011
Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe says his department will work hard this festive season to reduce road accidents by at least 30%.
Shongwe was speaking during a Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster meeting held in Pine lake Inn outside White River yesterday [08 November 2011].
Representatives from the department, South African Police Services, Home Affairs, Justice, SARS, NIA and Social Development attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Shongwe urged all the stakeholder
departments to support all operations planned by either the department or SAPS
for the festive season in order to attain the goal of reducing road accidents.
He added that with the successes that the new Traffic Intervention Unit is making, it is possible for the department to reach that goal.
He further applauded the TIU for all the successes made
since it was launched, and however said that there is a need to sustain the
improvements by getting support from the other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, MEC Shongwe urged the department of Justice to
support the hard working police by making sure that criminals are convicted.
“I therefore appeal to the Department of Justice to make sure that criminals, especially those who kill other people either violently or by road accidents be given maximum sentence so that it sends a strong message to the wrong doers in our communities that crime does not pay,” said Shongwe.
He also mentioned that in other provinces, drivers who get
involved in road accidents while under the influence of alcohol and kill people
are generally charged with murder, instead of culpable homicide. “This should
also happen in the province,” he said.
The matter involving the functioning of police stations
and the involvement of the community in the fight against crime was also
discussed. It was agreed that the relevant departments should put an effort to
ensure that police stations and other police resources are utilised optimally
for the benefit of the public.
A call was made to the police and the Justice department
to work seamlessly to ensure that victims of crime are always protected from
perpetrators, and that they should be supported by other government departments
such as SARS and Correctional Services.
The members of the JCPS also discussed the challenges and
successes regarding the operation of law enforcement agencies, judiciary
services, fraud and corruption; establishment of Ehlanzeni One Stop Child
Justice Centre; and the need to focus on liquor traders in order to get rid of
all those who do not comply with the liquor Act.
To effectively enhance law enforcement in the province, the meeting took a decision to work on a consolidated operational plan for major crime fighting programmes, especially now that the country is approaching the festive season.
This was supported by Major General Thulani Phahla, the
deputy provincial SAPS commissioner who indicated that joint operations will
assist government in arresting wanted criminals, confiscating stolen goods and
eradicating road accidents.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety,
Security and Liaison