MANANA TASKS
GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES TO GIVE FEEDBACK
TO AVOID PROTESTS
Media Release
17 August 2009
Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security
and Liaison MEC Sibongile Manana has
called on government structures to
constantly give information to
communities to avoid dissatisfaction and
unnecessary protests.
Speaking at an Imbizo at Wesselton in
Ermelo on Sunday Manana conceded that
lack of knowledge created uncertainty
amongst the people who ended up
revolting against government.
She said some people do not know certain
government structures, their functions
and how to access their services.
Manana tasked the Justice Crime
Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster
departments and councilors to regularly
give feedback on progress made regarding
expected services.
The JCPS Cluster consists of the
following departments; Correctional
Services, Home Affairs, State Security,
Justice and Constitutional Developments,
South African Police led by the
Department of Community Safety, Security
and Liaison.
She said Justice and Constitutional
Developments needed to educate people
how the judicial system works since
people usually complained about
immediate release of suspects.
“People complain that police arrest
criminals and the following day, those
suspects are seen roaming the streets
without any explanation. People are not
even informed about why their cases are
scrapped from the roll.
“Some officials send people from pillar
to post when applying for services
without indicating to them the necessary
requirements for successful processing
of documents such as ID books, birth
certificates and other services ,” said
MEC Manana.
She explained that such behaviour by
officials led to people becoming
frustrated and resorted to violence
during service delivery protests.
Manana said it was worthless for
government to repeatedly interact with
communities but not implementing or
rendering services needed by the
communities.
“We must refrain from making false
promises that we fail to deliver on
because this compromises the credibility
of government.
“These events are not talk-shows, people
expect a lot from us, we must move with
speed in delivering services. Next time
we go to communities, people will fight
with us,” said Manana.
The Provincial Community Policing Forum
Board Chairperson Mandla Mphuthi said
there was no need for communities to
discuss such issues with the MEC,
because it should have been raised with
ward councilors.
He encouraged the people to join CPF and
be part of sector policing.
Meanwhile, SAPS Acting Provincial
Commissioner Rex Machabi advised people
that if they were not adequately
assisted by police members, communities
should contact station commissioners.
He said incompetent police officers
could be removed or transferred to other
places.
He added that people should report crime
to the local satellite police station,
as that would determine the need to
build a police station.
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
013 766 4955
082 678 1450
Issued by Mpumalanga Community Safety,
Security and Liaison
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