Transport, community safety and liaison MEC, Sipho Hlomuka said he is highly optimistic about the provincial plans of fighting and defeating the scourge of crime following a successful meeting with the police top brass on Thursday.
MEC Hlomuka attended a high-level meeting with the police led by the provincial police commissioner, Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and his top management, including district commissioners. The meeting was also attended by the senior management of the department of community safety and liaison
The meeting was aimed at addressing and augmenting provincial plans of fighting crime in the province. MEC Hlomuka was briefed on the police turn-around strategy in addressing high levels of crimes, mainly targeting the top leading stations.
In a meeting, MEC Hlomuka outlined the provincial priorities and the need for forging a strong partnership between the government, the police and the community. Central to MEC Hlomuka’s submission to the police management is a need to reduce levels of murder, illegal firearms and fighting the scourge of Gender Based Violence amongst others.
MEC Hlomuka used the meeting to applaud the police for making breakthroughs in a number of cases, including arresting drug traffickers and most wanted criminals.
Between April 2022 and August 2022, police arrested more than 26 873 and recovered 2 506 dangerous weapons in the province.
“Government and the police management in the province have agreed to work with great speed in addressing the escalating levels of crimes. We want our people to feel safe. As the department we remain optimistic that we will turn the corner in the implementation of the turn – around strategy which is a direct response to areas with high levels of crimes in the province. As government we pledge our support to the police management and all officers in creating a safer KwaZulu-Natal. Fighting crime is one of our key priorities and we must treat it with a greater sense of importance. We will bring everyone on board, including the communities, traditional leaders, community organizations, business and civil society,” said MEC Hlomuka.
