MEC Shongwe addressing community members as well as members of the SAPS
By Kopano Dibakwane
MEC for community safety, security and liaison (DCSSL) in Mpumalanga, Vusi Shongwe, held a stakeholder engagement with various roles players including the South African Police Service(SAPS), members of the CPF(community policing forum), traditional leadership, taxi association, pastors, councillors and officials of Govan Mbeki local municipality, at Embalenhle Sasol club in Secunda on Wednesday.
The meeting was part of the two-day executive council outreach in the area led by Mpumalanga premier, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane,
The stakeholders raised concern on issues affecting the community such as, limited resources in police stations, taverns that are operating illegally and those that do not comply with operating regulations, prevalence of drugs, killing of girl children, involvement of some police officers in criminal activities.
In his response to the concerns raised, Shongwe said that parents must not abandon their responsibilities by relegating their responsibilities to the police and teachers. He furthermore said that crime was not as a result of poverty, but due to a lack of good parenting.
” Seek guidance from the police and the CPF, work closely with them, because alone they cannot win the fight against crime,” said Shongwe.
The MEC also encouraged men to form their forum to create awareness about the issue of gender-based violence(GBV).
The MEC also conducted an announced visit to Evander police station for oversight purposes, accompanied by acting head of department, Godfrey Ntombela, and the management team.
