Modern, Growing, Successful Province

MEC Bartlett's speech for TSL Budget Vote

Speech by the Honourable MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Ms. Martha Bartlett (MPL), on the occasion of the 2014/15 Budget Vote 3 at the Provincial Legislature, Kimberley, Northern Cape Province. 08 July 2014

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Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker;
Honourable Premier of our Province, Ms. Sylvia Lucas;
Honourable Members of the Executive Council;
Honourable Members of the Provincial Legislature;
Director General of the Northern Cape Province;
Veterans of our beloved movement;
The Head of Department and senior officials of the Department;
Dikgosi tsa rona; Religious and community leaders;
Representatives from the various media houses;
Stakeholders in the Transport and Safety fraternity;
Comrades and our Labour Unions;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen.

The reason why the ruling party has always performed outstandingly well in delivering on all its manifesto mandates since 1994, it’s simply based on the empirical fact that it has always shown a historical and political ability to craft its manifesto based on what our people want and aspire for, in their different communities.

When you take a view, even, at its latest manifesto of this year 2014, you will inevitably come to only one conclusion that indeed it contains exactly what our people need, 20 years into our democracy and the second phase of our transition, moving forward.

Honourable Speaker, you will recall that the ANC Government has continued to prioritise five (5) key areas for the term of office of its administration, all of which are based on this manifesto of the people’s movement.

As we collectively move our Country forward, the multitude of our people confirm in one voice that indeed the basic policy doctrine of our nation, the Freedom Charter, is fully finding concrete expression in our Government’s programme of action.

To this end, the Premier of our Province, Ms Sylvia Lucas, during her SOPA, was absolutely correct to state that in the spirit of celebrating the 59th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, it indeed continues to remain the soul of our nation and certainly the blue print of our young, vibrant democracy.

The Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, as defined, covers all matters which relate to the safety of our people and the transportation regime in the Northern Cape Province. This Budget Speech covers both of these responsibilities.

Honourable Members, we will be failing in our revolutionary duties and responsibilities if we don’t observe with dignity the passing on of one of our democracy’s founding mothers, Mma Epainette Mbeki, the wife to the late national leader of the ANC, Mr Govan Mbeki, and the mother to the former President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Thabo Mbeki.

In remembering Mma Mbeki very well and fondly so, we will all agree that indeed her whole life embodied the indomitable spirit of struggle, resistance, humanity and humility at all times. May her soul rest in peace.

In the same vein, Honourable Members, there will be nothing wrong in making a firm statement as the Provincial Government to say that 200 Mma Mbeki’s of today have been abducted by Boko-Haram militants, kept against their will, in Nigeria.

These are the leaders of tomorrow who would have taken over the baton of leadership of our Continent, from the late Mma Mbeki. In our own little way, as a people of this Province, we wish to send a strong message to the capturers, by saying enough is enough, “Bring Back Our Girls”.

As such, in the name and spirit of all of those who laid down their lives in the fight and struggle for freedom and democracy, such as Mme Epainette Mbeki, we must as a Department, the provincial Government and the people of this Province state it without any equivocation in our voices that the fight against crime and corruption shall continue until the attainment of a crime free society.

A strong warning must be conveyed to those who think that they can continue to victimise us through crime, that we will squeeze them out of our communities and put them behind bars, where they belong.

Honourable Speaker, we must always remember that our Province and Country in general is of a people who have a rich history always punctuated by resistance against any imposed abhorrent proclivity; be it political, social or economic.

In our fight against crime in this beautiful Province, we will continue with this very same spirit of resistance of all our people, dating back to the first wars of resistance against the colonial rule led by the Khoisan circa 1659 to 1803 as waged side by side with all other national groups of our Country, under the banner of the ANC and ultimately culminating into the historical watershed victory of the ushering in of democracy, peace, equality and justice for all in 1994. In direct reference to this, the President of the Republic of South Africa, his Excellency, Mr Jacob Zuma was absolutely correct when he reflected on this during his State of the Nation address of 2012.

The implementation of the Northern Cape Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy, launched in Batlharos, Kuruman in the JTG district on the 12 September 2013, is in full swing as we speak. During its launch, the Premier of our Province made a clear commitment that this strategic document will not be stored somewhere to gather dust like an ornament.

We can today report with confidence that indeed this document is an active instrument in as far as the prevention and the combating of crime is concerned in our Province and in as far as fighting crime at a level of our specific communities. All of the IDP’s of our municipalities are in the process of adopting its basic tenets to assist in the fight against crime at a municipal ward level and the building of good working relationship between municipalities and our CPF’s.

All of our vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly and our rural communities must enjoy equal protection through effective and coordinated involvement of the police, business and civil society in general.

We are emphasising this over and over again, Honourable members, because the personal safety of each and everyone of us is a basic right; for when communities do not feel safe and live in fear, the Country’s economic development and the people well-being are affected, hindering their ability and their potential. Our nation’s newly adopted blue print for 2030, the National Development Plan (NDP) accurately contains in it this important aspect of our lives.

In as far as transport matters are concerned, we will continue to assure quality services and the safety of both drivers and pedestrians in the Province and in line with this objective, our Department is looking at finalising the whole issue of having increased visible traffic policing on our roads.

With regard to aspects relating to transport infrastructural progress in our Province, details are provided below.

Reflections on the financial year 2013/2014

The Department has risen to the occasion and responded well to the service delivery expectations and needs of our communities. Notwithstanding the challenges of a small number of personnel and limited resources, services to our communities received the highest attention it deserves.

The Department spent over 99% of its allocated budget of R314.7million,for the 2013/14 financial period. A roll-over has been applied for, in respect of the unspent amount of R4, 319 million, which had been committed.

Honourable Speaker, the past budget allocated to the Department has indeed made a difference in the lives of our people.

The Department has made good strides in enhancing and promoting Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’S), by having improved on the settlement of all error free invoices within a period of 10 days from date of receipt of invoices. This has been made possible through the strengthening of monitoring systems, as well as the supporting role played by Provincial Treasury.

The Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison has continued to contribute positively to the provincial fiscus and had collected an amount of R155 million for the 2013/2014 financial year, this amount exceeds the budgeted amount by more than R4 million.

In achieving the government’s goals regarding the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), job creation and skills development, the Department has appointed 30 EPWP workers for the 2013/2014 financial year through the equitable share allocation.

Various skills development programmes were offered to departmental personnel which included training on project management, basic financial management, operational courses such as Examiner of Licenses/motor vehicles licenses and security management.

Twenty nine (29) bursaries were awarded to employees of whom eight (8) did complete their studies, for the 2013/14 financial year.

It is worth mentioning that seven (7) of our employees were registered for the Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) course and are progressing very well in their studies.

Honourable Speaker, in order to sustain effective and efficient service delivery by the police, under-performing police stations were identified for interventions. This is still considered as work-in-progress, since the Department, South African Police Services (SAPS) and the Community Police Forums (CPF's) are constantly monitoring and engaging on all areas of concern. In some instances, key service delivery police station improvement plans were put in place.

The management of service delivery complaints against SAPS improved during the previous financial year, although matters of, inter-alia, response time and shortage of resources still remains a big challenge, SAPS must give priority attention to.

Community Satisfaction Surveys were conducted at identified police stations where there was a breakdown in community police relations. The results of these surveys results were communicated to communities and recommendations made were converted into action plans to improve the relationship between SAPS and the affected communities.

As reflected above, the Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy was successfully launched in Batlharos on 12 September 2013. The community at large and all stakeholders had been mobilized around this common objective to assist in fighting the scourge of crime in our society. As part of the implementation of the Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy, the Department embarked on youth mobilization campaigns in the fight against crime. Public Information and Awareness sessions on alcohol abuse and sustenance of identified public spaces like parks and open spaces were conducted. Projects at these public spaces included family bonding campaigns, sport against crime and other recreational campaigns.

This mission of community mobilization, in the fight against crime and corruption, still remains on the agenda as work-in-progress.

In strengthening the capacity of District-and-Local Government to improve community safety, the Department had established Community Safety Forums in certain areas. The Department has conducted assessments, to oversee the functionality of CPF’s in the Province. CPF’s were assisted and guided through induction sessions, to understand their role and responsibilities.

Honourable Speaker, transport is indeed the backbone of our economy, when seen in the light that it has facilitated the transporting of commuters and learners from one social-and-economic point to another. Provision of affordable and accessible transport services to communities, were ensured through the Public Transport Operations Grant.

The challenges which have been encountered especially with learner transport had systematically been addressed.

The Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) has been established, and has begun to streamline and enhance the functions related to operating licenses.

Honourable Members, considering the fact that our Province constitutes over 35% of the landscape of the Country, the vastness of the Province remains an arduous task for travelling. In addressing this particular challenge, the Northern Cape Province launched an Intra-Provincial Air Service pilot project during the 2013/14 financial year. It operates between Kimberley, Upington and Springbok.

The intra-flight service has the potential to stimulate economic growth and fast-track effective and efficient service delivery, by facilitating easy and safe travel options for business/private sector entrepreneurs and for Government. This type of service is indeed of a special kind in the Country.

The Department has a very good working relationship with the Northern Cape Provincial Taxi Council, an affiliate of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), and as such this contributes towards ensuring that our Department enhances the empowerment of taxi operators and drivers in the Province. This relationship has further enhanced peace and stability in the industry and assisted to resolve grievances from operators, drivers and commuters.

The Public Transport Inspectorate (PTI),through its continued visibility across the Province, has ensured that there is a reduction in illegal public transport operators on our roads. This has tremendously contributed towards the stability within the transport industry in the Province, especially relating to matters of illegal operators, or "pirates" in other words.

The Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison successfully hosted its annual “Women in Transport Awards”, an initiative we took three (3) years ago, to recognize women’s contribution in the transport industry as well as to address issues of gender equity in the transport industry.

Honourable Speaker, upon emerging victorious from the auspicious awards ceremony of the Department, one of the category winners in 2013 has subsequently been elected as the Vice Chairperson of the Northern Cape Taxi Council as well as a National Committee Member of SANTACO. This is a first in the history of the transport industry, in our Province.

We are referring to none other than Ms. Lina Simboya and she is today present at our Budget Speech, and deserves a generous round of applause from all of us.

Key Transport Infrastructure Projects continue to remain on the developmental agenda of the Department. A lot of progress had been made by the Department in conjunction with all role-players under the guardianship of the Provincial Steering Committee (PSC).

The development of economic activities has been stimulated in the areas of Port-Nolloth and De Aar respectively, by partners such as Department of Public Enterprise, Transnet, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Emthanjeni Municipality, National Transport Ports Authority, and others.

The National Department of Transport, our own Department and Transnet have successfully being engaging one another on the establishment of a youth precinct around the site of the De-Aar Warehouse to stimulate economic activities in the area. At the Port Nolloth Hub, the National Department of Agriculture and the National Transport Ports Authority have also invested millions to upgrade the jetty and fishery industry around the port, for sustainable economic activities.

The Project Management Unit has completed the Feasibility Study which provides for a strong investment case and for job creation opportunities and economic development activities. A lot of potential investors have already expressed interest in these infrastructure development projects.

Honourable Members, the implementation of the Road Safety Initiatives in the Province, particularly in relation to its enforcement, education and monitoring, continued to receive high priority. Community members, schools and churches were mobilized behind the United Nations Declarations of the Decade of Road Safety 2011 to 2020 "Make our roads Safe" campaign.

The number of road fatalities were reduced by five (5) fatalities from two hundred and forty six (246) in 2012/2013 to 241 in 2013/2014 and the road fatalities compared with other Provinces was the lowest.

Working hand in hand with all our communities in our beautiful Province, we will continue to pursue the reduction of road accidents and fatalities through a vigorous law enforcement campaign, visibility and collaboration with other role-players.

Our Road Safety Education programme embarked on education and awareness projects at schools and for pedestrians, reaching especially rural school children, thus, ensuring that the children know their responsibility in relation to road safety.

The highlight of this intervention was the Provincial Youth Debate hosted in Upington, which consisted of schools from all five (5) Districts in the Province. Five (5) members from the debate teams were enrolled by the Department to participate at the National Road Safety Debate in Cape Town, where they achieved second place Nationally.

Die vyf deel nemers is ook genooi na hierdie geleentheid en hulle verdien toejuiging.Hulle name is Christelle Muller vanaf Namakwa Distrik; Wongalethu Falata vanaf John Taolo Gaetsewe Distrik; Victoria Baloyi vanaf ZF Mgcawu Distrik en Tlotlo Lesetedi vanaf Frances Baard Distrik.

This demonstrates the critical role which our youth need to play in road safety, in order to reduce the road accidents, in general, and fatalities, in particular.

In our resolve to reduce incidents of corruption at driver license testing centers and Vehicle testing centres, our monitoring unit conducted 40 compliance inspections, coming out with recommendations, pointing out discrepancies to registering authorities for correction and reducing the risk of corruption by officials.

South African Police Service (SAPS) matters in the Province

Agbare Speaker, as ons die aktiwiteite van die SAPD voorlê vir die 2013/14 boekjaar, word dit gesien uit die Grondwetlike plig van die Provinsiale Regering en uit die oogpunt van die Departement se mandaat wat spruit uit " oorsig, monitering and verantwoordelikheid van die Polisiediens".

Honourable Speaker, in our on-going fight against crime and corruption we are pleased to announce that for the past financial year, one hundred and eighty seven (187) police officer posts were allocated.

Amongst others, these were the allocations made to the following sections:

  • The Detectives were capacitated by employing thirty three (33) members,
  • Eight (8) at the Provincial Detective Office,
  • Nine (9) at the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).
  • Eleven (11) at the Vehicle Identification Section (VIS)
  • Five (5) at the Stock Theft Unit

In as far as training and capacity building is concerned, twenty one (21) members were trained in the following courses:

  • In Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS)
  • Detective Commander’s Learning Programme (DCLP) on the Vehicle Identification Section (VIS) and
  • Revolving of Crime (ROC) Course

In terms of resources allocation, one hundred and fifty six (156) vehicles were bought and one hundred and fifty (150) mobile radios were purchased and installed during the financial period under review.

The following successes had been recorded at all our (Ports of entry) border posts:

  • Six hundred and fifty four (654) operations and twenty seven (27) Roadblocks were conducted;
  • Seven hundred and ninety nine (799) arrests were effected at Border Posts and Borderline;
  • Recoveries in the Ports of Entry environment amounted to R6, 415 million, includingR148 490-00for J534’s issued;
  • Amongst others, seizures included the following:
    • Twelve (12) firearms;
    • Sixty one thousand five hundred and sixty four (61 564) rounds of ammunition;
    • Nine (9) stolen/robbed vehicles;
    • Other successes include, the confiscation of illegal goods, dagga, hashish and tik.

Honourable Speaker, several Social Crime Prevention programmes were implemented, which included initiatives whereby five hundred and seventy eight (578) schools in the Province were aligned with the Protocol signed between the SAPS and the Department of Education.

This particular protocol is related to the School-based Crime Prevention programme, resulting in the raiding of one hundred and eighty one (181) schools and the seizure of four hundred and sixty seven (467) dangerous weapons as well as other illegal items. Furthermore, 7.96 million litres of liquor were confiscated and the fully functional Victim Support Facilities were increased from sixty two (62) to sixty nine (69).

In as far as our community involvement programmes are concerned, the following Imbizos were conducted aimed at creating a platform for our communities to directly interact with the Member of the Executive Committee on issues affecting them: Mothibistad in the JTG District, Topline in the ZFM District, Ritchie in the FB District, Port Nolloth in the Namakwa District and De Aar in the Pixley Ka Seme District to mention but a few.

The highlight of all of these Imbizos, Honourable Members, was the one addressed by the Deputy Minister of Police Mme. Maggie Sotyu in Pampierstad specifically organized to focus on illegal initiation schools in the Phokwane area.

Inter-sectoral interventions were held with the focus on awareness on Crime Against Women, Child Abuse and Murder, Strengthening of Family Values for Safer Home Environments for Children and the Fight Against Xenophobia.

A partnership was established with the Progressive Men’s Movement of South Africa. This partnership seeks to address issues relating to men in society and also the role of the father towards the boy-child in society, as they are perceived in most instances, as the perpetrators of crime.

Rural Safety Strategy was rolled out throughout the Province and as such programmes and projects related to the strategy are being implemented;

One hundred and seven (107) people were sentenced for long imprisonment (between 10 and 30 years) and six (6) sentenced for life for sexual offences.

Capital projects and renovations were undertaken at the following police stations:

Keimoes 100% Completed
Tsineng 100% Completed
Old Commando Office (Springbok) 100% Completed
Kimberley Dog Unit 90% Completed
Kimberley Hull Street Married Quarters 100% Completed
Boetsap 100% Completed
Kuruman 100% Completed
Wrenchville 100% Completed
Mothibistad 100% Completed
Windsorton 100% Completed
Kleinsee 100% Completed

Other policing operations that SAPS engaged in included community protest actions with a financial implication to the tune of R 2, 846 million.

Departmental Allocation for 2014/2015 period amounts to R328.9 million for the Department Transport, Safety and Liaison

Key service delivery for the 2014/15 financial year


Honourable Speaker, permit us to outline our programme of action for the 2014/15 financial year. The Department's Strategic Priorities, in line with the ruling party's Manifesto and the National Development Plan will continue to receive attention through the 2014/15 financial year. This policy directive is premised on the electoral mandate that we will “Together move South Africa Forward”.

The strengthening of social cohesion in our communities is undoubtedly high on the agenda of the work we are doing this financial year.

Aspects which will receive our priority attention include the focus areas such as:

  • the fight against crime and corruption, with special focus on the abuse of women and children and professionalized and ethical standards of services and conduct;
  • infrastructure development and transport projects;
  • road safety strategies;
  • enhanced civilian oversight and effective service delivery to our communities and the creation of job opportunities for youth, unemployed volunteers and by so doing contributing to the alleviation of poverty.

Honourable Speaker, the budget vote for this financial year is R328.9million, which constitute the economic classification breakdown as follows:

Compensation of Employees R120.542 million
Goods and Services R159.065 million
Transfers and Subsidies R48.886 million
Payment for capital Assets R0.409 million

Programme 1: Administration: R57, 483 Million

Funds allocated to this programme will strengthen the management and administration function in the Department. The functions which will be executed will ensure alignment of our strategic and annual performance plans and budgets as per the Treasury Framework, both for compliance and ensuring effective, efficiency and economic management systems to be put in place.

In order for the Department to work towards the goal of achieving a clean audit report, a comprehensive Audit Action Plan is in place and is being continuously monitored. Joint actions are also being put in place with the Audit committee and Internal Audit Units.

Honourable Speaker, in line with the SOPA of 2014/15 delivered by the Honourable Premier Ms. Sylvia Lucas, the Department is in the process of implementing systems which will enhance the commitment made for increasing revenue collection. A debt collection project process for old outstanding debt of failure to renew motor vehicle licences is progressing very well. A process of activating the execution of outstanding warrants/J534's will also be put in place to encourage outstanding payments.

The Department will continue to empower and enhance the skills of its employees. Eight employees have been enrolled for ABET/ Matric program for the financial year. One (1) of the employee is part of the ABET Level 1-4, and the remaining seven are writing their matric certificates in October of this year. Thirteen (13) bursaries have been allocated to employees during the financial year under review.

The EPMDS of employees are regularly being monitored to ensure compliance with prescripts but also importantly to enhance performance for effective service delivery. Four unemployed youth were offered an opportunity to undergo an Internships programme, and three were part of an In- service programme.

Programme 2: Civilian Oversight: R11, 750 Million

The program will continue its oversight role by strengthening the systems for SAPS accountability in line with the Civilian Secretariat Act. Continuous Community Research Surveys will also be conducted to gauge the status of whether our communities "are and feel safe"

Close working relationship with the Independent Police Investigation Directorate (IPID) will be forged for proper monitoring of police professional conduct and brutality, as required by the IPID Act. The National Monitoring Tool will be instituted at targeted police stations to enhance SAPS' service delivery needs of our community.

We continue to provide the necessary assistance and support to CPF's to enable them to mobilize communities in the fight against crime and in implementing structured plans. The relationship between the police, the Provincial CPF Board and all its structures has been strengthened and we continue to monitor that the necessary support is given by SAPS to the CPF.

Honourable Speaker, the operationalization of the Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy (PCPS) is incorporated in most operational plans of sister departments. Regular stakeholders' meetings are being conducted on programs and feedback.

The Department has registered a special project with regard to the implementation of aspect of the PCPS, in conjunction with the support of the National Department of Public Works, the Department of Roads and Public Works and SAPS. As we speak, our Department has already started with the enrolment of 400 EPWP workers in the Social Crime Prevention Programme. They will receive a stipend of R1,600-00 per month.

Most of the volunteers will be from the CPF's and some members from the "Balelapa project", where there is no or little household income.

Honourable Speaker, the Department will work with the National Secretariat for Police in finalizing the Rural Safety Impact Study to determine the occurrence of violence among rural communities, and to investigate the generators of crime in these areas, as well as to build on the effectiveness of the Rural Safety Strategy.

Programme 4: Transport Operations: R177. 631 Million

Honourable Speaker, once again, as indicated by the Honourable Premier, Mme Sylvia Lucas, during her State of the Province Address twelve days ago, the four (4) key infrastructure programmes in the Province will remain on the developmental agenda.

As already indicated in this budget speech, substantial progress has already been made on this medium- to long term projects, and the Department will continue to pursue the realisation of these projects.

The projects have now been registered with National Treasury and they will further assist in escalating the projects to another level. The Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) has also been approached and they have indicated their willingness to escalate the projects to new heights.

The Department will continue to provide subsidized transport services to communities and will expand to areas where circumstances allow. A process is also under way in conjunction with National Department of Transport to enter into Negotiated contracts in order to bring broader transport stakeholders on board regarding the public transport services.

Honourable Speaker, the Department has implemented stringent compliance mechanisms such as roadworthy test for learner transport vehicles, insurance liability, penalty clauses for non and late transportation of learners, appropriate vehicle utilization, etc., requirements of which were not adhered to in the past.

Some of these requirements have emanated into challenges between service providers and the department. Together with the Department of Education we have collectively and continuously attended to the challenges which were raised.

The Department is in the process of putting the Learner Transport Services out on tender, with the required standards to improve on compliance, safety, and the effective attendance of classes by our learners.

Honourable Speaker, the Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) which deals with operating licenses has been established to effectively deal with and regulate application processes. Continuous attention is also being given to outstanding applications.

The Department is already assisting municipalities with the development of Integrated Transport Plans (ITPs) and interns with transport planning qualifications will be deployed under the supervision of departmental officials to assist in this regard.

Programme 5: Transport Regulations: R73, 065 Million

The implementation of the 2014/15 annual performance plan will be informed by the National Road Safety Strategy inline with the United Nations Decade of Action on Road Safety.

Honourable Speaker, accidents and fatalities are still unacceptably high on our roads, and to this end extensive transformation interventions will continue to be instituted to change the situation, as outlined hereafter.

Our Department is in the process to register a special project for road safety to ensure vigorous law enforcement, compliance, mobilization, awareness and ethical behaviour of traffic officers. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has been engaged for support and cooperation. In this case, a service level agreements will be signed.

Steps and actions which will be instituted include amongst others:

  • Massive mobilization of stakeholders and role-players in road safety through means of stakeholder conference based on Decade of Road Safety ( Make Our Roads Safe)
  • Traffic visibility by relocating offices of some traffic stations to weigh-bridges
  • Upgrading and renovating weigh-bridges
  • Massive road safety-marketing and branding campaign
  • Refresher training courses to be provided for traffic officials
  • Youth education and training (From Grade 10 to 12 in learner and driving licenses)
  • Implementation of a dedicated call line, for the purpose of reporting alleged corrupt activities by traffic officials. Added to this, verification measures will be put in place and where justifiable, due processes will be instituted
  • Youth public debates on road safety to conscientise and instill a sense of ownership for road safety in upcoming generations
  • Enhancement and Empowerment of scholar patrols
  • Regular roadblocks and speed check operations, etc.
  • Absorption and employment of 30 Road Safety Council volunteers in the departmental EPWP program with a stipend of R1600-00

SAPS MATTERS FOR 2014/15

Honourable Members, currently two hundred and eighty (280) recruits are attending a Groom Camp in Oudtshoorn.

Sector Policing will be increased from seventy eight (78) to ninety one (91) and five (5) Victim Support Facilities are prioritized for the current financial year.

The Detective environment will be capacitated by appointing three (3) Forensic Social Workers and three (3) FCS commanders.

Ninety (90) vehicles and Fifty (50) Mobile radios will be purchased and installed.

Keimoes Police Station (Construction of station and single quarters) will be completed during this financial year

Priority will be given to the following stations:
Springbok - Old Commando HRD office
Modderrivier - Station and quarters
Vosburg - Station and Quarters
Pella - Station

As we conclude, Honourable Speaker, having just completed a month-long youth programme during the month of June 2014, under the theme; "Youth Moving South Africa Forward”, we continue to salute the bravery of young people in all their different endeavours in taking our Country forward. Those who laid down their lives in a determination of ensuring that the democracy we enjoy today becomes a reality, are indeed proud of the good work we continue to carry out.

As we continue to strive for a better life for all, we further recommit ourselves to the achievement and implementation of our objectives as informed by our policy mandates as we take South Africa forward.

Honourable Speaker, in a period of about ten (10) days, our Country and the entire world will be celebrating the Nelson Mandela day, a day dedicated to selfless sacrifices and leadership demonstrated by the first democratically elected President of our Country, President Nelson Mandela, to whose heart the safety and development of our youth has always remained closest.

The whole month of July will see all of our Government departments and other stakeholders running with programmes relating to this particular international day. Madiba always called upon all of us to forgive those young people who committed crime and found themselves on the wrong side of the law, languishing in our jails, by saying, and I quote:

“We all need to join hands to rescue these youngsters and transform them into worthy and respected citizens of our Country (because) we owe it to them and we owe it to ourselves. They are part of our society?s problem and rejecting them is not going to solve the problem of crime.  They are human beings too, they are our brothers, sisters, our sons and daughters who have disappointed us. They have the right to a chance to unlock their potential to better themselves.”

While many may ask why so much focus on youth and their involvement in crime, you will all be well advised to look at the statistics which indicate that of the total number those convicted by our courts, a quarter thereof are our young people; locked behind bars, while they are supposed to be out here enjoying their freedom.

These are my children, they are your children. We must be in a position to encourage them that the circumstances they find themselves in does not determine where they go in life; but it merely determines where they start and like in the 27years of the incarceration of our beloved late President Nelson Mandela, they must always remember that the size and the strength of the jail bars you find yourself behind, should not deter you from realizing your dream.

While all of our jails are provided with schools and educational programmes as part of the broader rehabilitation strategy, we must always remind our juveniles of what Mahatma Ghandi once said with regard to this, and I quote:

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

Our youth behind bars must not be afraid to grab the opportunity provided to them in jail because most of the time, “opportunity is missed by most people simply because it is dressed in an overall and looks like work.”

Having served only one month in this portfolio, one can state with certainty that this is an interesting and challenging responsibility I have accepted with complete humility simply because "true humility is not thinking less of yourself, but it is thinking of yourself less.?

This, Honourable Speaker, also reminds me of what the Holy Scriptures says in 1 Peter 5: 6; “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Verneder julle dan onder die kragtige hand van God, sodat Hy julle kan verhoog op die regte tyd.”

Further, 2 Chronicles 7: 14 says : “ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.”

Lastly, Matthew 23:12: “And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Wie homself verhoog, sal verneder word, en wie homself verneder sal verhoog word.”

Honourable Members, we must also congratulate the people of our Country, and our Province in particular, for the manner in which they peacefully carried out the 5th National and Provincial elections especially our Provincial law enforcement agencies.

We also salute two of our fallen comrades who lost their lives in the line of duty on the morning of the Election Day in the Dikgatlong district. To them, we dedicate the 5th general elections victory of the ANC in this Province.

Following this, we strongly believe that our Province is in good hands under the continued leadership of Premier Sylvia Lucas. Our Department is looking forward to work very closely with the new Minister of Transport, Mme Dipuo Peters and the new Minister of Police, Mr Nkosinathi Nhleko. To all of our stakeholders in the fight against crime and those in the transport fraternity, we wish to thank you for your valuable contribution in your different spheres of responsibility.

To the staff of the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison we are saying keep up the good work and continue to serve our people with dedication and humility.

I also want to thank the African National Congress for the trust bestowed on me to lead this Department, I commit myself to work very hard and never disappoint my beloved movement.

I thank you.

 

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