MEDIA STATEMENT ON
MuniMEC
Media Releases
19 November 2009
Members of the media we thank you for
attending this press conference this
afternoon. We had our quarterly meeting
with councilors who are responsible for
public safety.
Before we report on today’s meeting, we
want to appreciate the national
Cabinet’s decision yesterday of
reconsidering bringing back the SANDF to
our borders.
Illegal crossings at our 500km long
borderline has been a serious security
threat for our country, we believe that
the deployment of soldiers will go a
long way towards enhancing security of
borderlines.
We want to emphasize that the police
officers did not fail dismally, they had
many successes at our borders, however
they were faced with numerous challenges
in dealing with borderline security in
terms of capacity.
In view of the fact that 2010 FIFA World
Cup is around the corner, we are excited
about the redeployment of SANDF to
patrol our borders as they have
necessary capacity to deal with
borderline security.
Today’s meeting discussed amongst
others;
1. Plans for the Festive Season
2. 2010 FIFA World Cup
3. Analysis Report on riots in the
municipalities
Let me give you a brief synopsis per
sub-heading
Plans for the festive season
We will increase police visibility
throughout the province as certain
crimes usually increase during this time
of the year. We will be working jointly
with municipalities to mount road blocks
all over the province. Our operations
are informed by previous experience that
some crimes usually escalate during the
festive season.
SAPS indicated during the meeting that
they will beef up their operations which
will vary from the deployment of quick
reaction Flying Squad which will focus
mainly on cash in transits, bank
robberies. They will pay more attention
on stolen vehicles, counterfeit goods,
illegal immigrants, and check road
worthiness of vehicles.
Other operations will vary from
Operation Booze for non-complying liquor
traders to repeated offenders. SAPS
reported that last week alone, they
arrested 189 people for transgress the
Liquor Act.
Trading of second hand goods, stock
theft, violent crime, pension pay-points
and ports of entries will also receive
more attention as these are regarded as
generators of crime.
2010 World Cup
As a province we are ready to provide
safety and security during the 2010 FIFA
World Cup. We however need to pre-host
some soccer games at the stadium to test
the readiness.
Analysis report on riots in
municipalities
Service delivery protests caused
Mpumalanga SAPS approximately R1.5
million to deploy personnel and the
resources.
SAPS management deployed at least 244
police officers, 10 nyalas and one water
canon.
The riots were mainly caused by
satisfaction in terms of service
delivery, farm evictions, xenophobia,
witchcraft and stock theft.
In order to avoid these in the near
future, crime intelligence officers have
been deployed on the ground.
Conclusion
Ladies and gentlemen thank you for your
attention.
Issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison
Enquiries: Zibonele Mncwango on 013 766 4018 or 072 159 1865
|
