Concern Over 2010 Public Viewing
Sites
Media Release
08 April 2008
Mpumalanga Safety and Security
MEC Fish Mahlalela voiced his
concern regarding the delay by
municipalities in the province
in identifying public viewing
sites to be utilised to watch
soccer matches during the
duration of the 2010 World Cup.
He said the sites needed to be
identified as soon as possible
for the 2010 safety co-ordinating
committee to start taking the
necessary steps towards the
realisation of a secured 2010
soccer extravaganza. This will
then enable the committee to
plan and determine resources to
be needed to address safety and
security matters at the viewing
sites and fan parks during 2010.
Mahlalela told delegates that
plans for other aspects in terms
of safety and security for the
2010 Soccer World Cup are being
handled appropriately; however,
the issue pertaining to the
public viewing sites was still a
challenge.
In all, Mpumalanga will be
expected to have approximately
17 public viewing sites and
safety and security measures
should be according to FIFA
standards.
This emerged at a meeting
between municipalities and the
MEC (MUNIMEC) held at Secunda on
Thursday April 3 and attended
among others by departmental
management, SAPS, municipal
officials and councillors
responsible for public safety
within local municipalities.
At the same meeting, the MEC
announced that the Department
will immediately begin the
process of transforming
Community Policing Forums (CPFs)
into Community Safety Forums (CSFs).
The process will first begin at
31 identified flashpoint
policing areas in the province
for the current financial year,
reason being that these stations
contribute 77% of crime
committed in Mpumalanga. The
transformation process will be
rolled out to all stations in
the next coming years.
The restructuring of CSFs will
assist in ensuring that
community mobilisation is
intensified and communication
between the Department and the
community on crime prevention is
improved. “Although crime is
declining, the violent nature of
crimes committed, creates an
impression that crime is out of
hand and therefore the CSFs will
assist in this regard to
strengthen partnerships with
other stakeholders in the fight
against crime”, said Mahlalela.
The concept of CSFs recognises
that community policing is more
effective and for people to
understand that it is not police
alone who has a responsibility
of combating crime, but also
community members who are mostly
responsible for criminal
prosecutions because they are
the ones who lay charges, make
statements, testify in court and
assist the police in executing
their duties.
Unlike the CPF’s, the CSF
structures will be inclusive of
all units of the Justice, Crime
Prevention and Security cluster
(JCPS), such as the Departments
of Safety and Security, Home
Affairs, Correctional Services,
South African Revenue Services
and District Municipalities as
well as Justice and
Constitutional Development.
Mahlalela also instructed
municipalities in the identified
policing precinct to provide
CSFs with office space. The
Department will then provide the
necessary resources such as
human resources to ensure
functionality of the offices.
The Department has set aside R1,
55 million to cater for the
restructuring of the CPFs at the
following flashpoint stations in
the current financial year:
Nkangala Region
- Witbank, Ogies, Vosman,
Kwaggafontein, Tweefontein,
KwaMhlanga, Middelburg, Mhluzi,
Siyabuswa, Vaalbank, Mametlhake.
Gert Sibande Region:
- Piet Retief, Embalenhle,
Leslie, Ermelo, Sakhile,
Standerton, Delmas.
Ehlanzeni Region
- Nelspruit,
Bushbuckridge, Matsulu,
Masoyi, Kabokweni,
KaNyamazane, Accornhoek,
Mhala, Calcutta, Tonga,
Schoemansdal, Lydenburg,
Barberton.
Issued by Communication
Section, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government, Department of Safety
and Security
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza at 013
766 4055 / 082 678 1450
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