MEC Macie presents DCSSL Policy and Budget Speech

By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane

Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison(DCSSL), Jackie Macie, tabled the budget speech for the 2024/25 financial year, at the Provincial Legislature in Mbombela, on Monday 5 August.

Macie highlighted, amongst other things, the recruitment and training of Community Police Wardens(CPWs) to assist in dealing decisively with all the identified crime hotspots such as Pienaar, Kanyamazane and Masoyi, Gender Based Violence and Femicide(GBVF), the safety of learners and teachers in schools, the battle against illegal miners, construction mafias masquerading as business forums, the recent arrest of 95 Libyan nationals at a suspected military camp and police officers who collude with criminals.

Macie said his department is expected to finalise the recruitment process of CPWs by the end of the 3rd quarter of 2024/25 financial year. He said that the collaboration with South African Police Service(SAPS) has yielded success in various operations such as Operation Shanela, Operation Vala Umgodi and Overall Friday.

“ We have heard our communities through all public engagements and complaints we have received. There is an overwhelming cry that they are tired of crime, and they demand that we do something to curb crime,”

Macie said R156 701 000 has been allocated for Administration. He also revealed that the department is currently boasts 53% representation of women as part of the total staff compliment, this figure includes 3.2% of employment of people with disabilities.

“ 95 young people are currently enrolled for the Basic Traffic Law Enforcement Learnerships at the Mpumalanga Traffic Training College(MTTC). It is envisaged that the training will be completed by the end of 2024 and will be absorbed as traffic law enforcement officers next year.

Provincial Civilian Secretariat for Police Service

“ The programme has been allocated an amount of R101 107 000 for the current financial year. The budget will be used to fund the recruitment and training of CPWs. The department will continue with enlisting Tourism Safety Monitors(TSMs). The department currently has 429 TSMs”

Gender Based Violence and Femicide

“ We will continue to monitor SAPS to ensure compliance with the Domestic Violence Act. We will continue to implement the 365 Days of Activism for no violence against women and children. It is crucial that all police stations have fully functional victim empowerment centres”

Transport Regulation 

“ The transfer of licensing and vehicle registration functions from Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete Local Municipalities has been completed in May and Juky this year respectively. We have recorded over 2000 Speed Operations, over 40 K78 roadblocks, over 30 drunken driving operations, over 800 000 vehicles were stopped and checked”

Security Management

“ Security Management has been allocated an amount of R831 257 000. As part of dealing with corruption, the department conducts Security Awareness and Vetting of officials to identify priority business units within the department on an ongoing basis”

Budget Allocation

Macie said the overall budget for the financial year 2024/25 is R1 877 152 000.

Macie thanked the contribution and collaborative efforts by Mpumalanga SAPS as well as the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport.