| 2024/09/06 |
|
National Community Policing Consultative Forum (NCPCF) Strategic Session Shai-Shai Hills, Akasia, Pretoria 6-7 September 2024
Thank you Programme Director
The Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing Good day! It gives me great pleasure to extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you gathered here today to partake in our two-day National Community Policing Consultative Forum (NCPCF) and a strategic session aimed at developing a crime combating five-year action plan. On behalf of the South African Police Service, you are all welcome, and we are delighted that we have managed to convene this gathering that emanates from the NCPCF quarterly meeting which was held on 11 May 2024 at Division: Visible Policing and Operations. It was during the said meeting, when a decision was taken to bring together all stakeholders from government and private sector under the same roof to engage and work together with the aim of coming up with an effective strategy and developing a five-year plan to tackle crime in the country. To give you some background, the NCPCF came to be when the Increased Prevention and Combating Action Plan adopted in May 2023 recognised the importance of community mobilisation in the prevention of crime. Community Policing Forums (CPF’s) play a critical role of not only helping police in the fight against crime but they also bring the police and community together, assisting in bridging the gap between the public and the police to tackle criminal activities in communities. Subsequently, a new NCPCF executive was elected on 21 October 2023 consisting of six (6) members. All Provinces and Districts have functioning Community Police Boards. Out of an eligible 1157 police stations 1155 have functional community police forums. It is against this backdrop that our National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola took a strategic decision to allocate R70 million to enhance the functioning of community police structures and support their role in community mobilisation and crime prevention. After the allocation of funding the National Commissioner met the NCPCF executive to consult on the use of funds. Provincial Commissioners were required to consult their local structures, determine and prioritise needs and manage the spending of the funds. I am glad to report to you that by 23 February 2024, a total of R65 755 423.20 had been spent. This is equivalent to 94% expenditure of the allocated funds. The funds were used for CPF activities as well as to provide resources for use in CPF activities such as Provincial Community Policing Indaba, Imbizos and Awareness Campaigns. The funds were also used to procure resources such as 69 vehicles for transporting CPF members for the purpose of CPF functions and activities; communication tools including two way radios and laptops; Marketing materials like branded gazebos and banners; as well as uniform and equipment like reflector jackets, caps, boots, and rechargeable flash lights, among others. It is important to clarify that vehicles purchased using these funds are assets of the SAPS. These vehicles are allocated to a police station, district or provincial office; however, they are utilised to support CPF activities and transport CPF members for CPF activities. Provinces that prioritised purchasing of vehicles include Eastern Cape which bought eight (8) vehicles, Gauteng purchased 28 vehicles, KwaZulu-Natal 10, Limpopo five (5), Mpumalanga six (6), North West three (3), and Western Cape nine (9). We are encouraged by the impact of these resources we have injected into communities to heighten police visibility and increase prevention and combating of crime. However, the strategy we have in place is open to scrutiny by our stakeholders hence we have invited you to this strategic session. Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, in addition to my SAPS colleagues and CPF members, we have invited officials from the Department of Social development; the Department of Women, Youth and persons with disabilities; the South African Human Rights Commission; the Institute for Security Studies; and Community leaders, among other valued stakeholders, to be part of this strategic session. Our valued stakeholders, we really appreciate your presence here today. We are indebted to you for giving up your two days to come and join us here today. Your presence demonstrates your understanding of the grave problem crime is in our country and the seriousness with which you intent to join forces with us to fight crime in our communities. We deem it crucial for you to be here because we recognise the importance of intergovernmental relations with our sister departments, and we acknowledge the value of a collaborative approach with our private sector stakeholders to improve the fight against crime. We also need to hear first-hand analysis of the crime situation and essential information we might need to get to improve our crime fighting strategies. It is no secret that societal issues tend to propel moral degeneration leading to people transform into criminals. I hope representatives of the Department of Social development as well as the Department of Women, Youth and persons with disabilities will provide guidance on how we can work together to keep young people away from crime. The Institute for Security Studies is known for holding nothing back when speaking out about the SAPS’ style of policing. You have criticised our faults and applauded our effective strategies. Your previous analysis of crime and policing in South Africa, and recommendations reports have been serving as an eye opener hence we appreciate you as our stakeholder. Constructive criticism is something we are open to and appreciate highly. The South African Human Rights Commission is a well-known organisation in our country whose advice is sought across the country by those who feel their human rights have been violated or abused. We have an unfortunate situation where our members were found to have used excessive force or detained minors, among others, effectively violating their human rights. The productivity of sessions like this one is determined by our cooperation and I cannot stress enough how much we value you. Such sessions are organised for you to share your views and perspectives as reflected on the agenda. In the interest of time, I would like to say that we appreciate the support and partnership of all our stakeholders present here.This is an important strategic session as it will determine what we do for the next five years in fulfilment of our Constitutional mandate to prevent, combat and investigate crime; to maintain public order; to protect and secure the inhabitants of South Africa and their property; and to uphold and enforce the law. The session is intended to provide an opportunity for commanders to talk about their area situation analysis, possible solutions, their contribution to the sought solution, and expectations to address the challenges. The session will allow commanders to reflect on crime trends that impact the quality of life for South African residents and the reputation of the state as far as policing is concerned. The session will also provide a platform to various experts who will focus on their analysis of the situation and proposed solutions. Armed with all the information and recommendations, we will identify priorities and conceptualise a five-year strategy. Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, as I conclude, South African residents are looking to us as society leaders to find a solution to increasing levels of crimes and restore the reputation of our country.Therefore, at the end of the two-day session we must emerge with a realistic, comprehensive and effective strategic five-year action plan. Once again, I really appreciate the presence of each and everyone of you here and i look forward to the next two days of working together to create a safe and secure environment for all people in the country. Thank you!
|
|
|
