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Gauteng Legislature adopts DA’s motion to combat GBV

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) has adopted the DA’s motion aimed at combating the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in the province.

We are pleased and welcome the adoption of our motion, which, when implemented accordingly, will decrease cases of GBV.

Women and children in Gauteng have long suffered from the scourge of multiple crimes levelled against them without having full access to government structures that should assist them.

The shortage of victim empowerment centres in our communities has not only deprived women and children of much-needed victim support but also men who are abused by their partners.

The existing victim empowerment centres are in a dire state. In addition, Gauteng has a huge challenge concerning the DNA backlog, denying justice for GBV victims.

The DA’s motion proposes the following interventions to combat GBV:

  • We should have more trained police and social workers available at stations who will deal specifically with victims of GBV and deal with the issues affecting members of the LGBTQ+ community,
  • The Department of Community Safety and Security should do more in liaising with their national counterparts to provide adequate resources to all our victim empowerment centres across all our police stations; and
  • The province lobbies for the devolution of the SAPS so that access to the resources is not centralised. As a result, the province will have the mandate to effectively and efficiently distribute resources to aid victims of GBV.

The DA believes that GBV is a societal issue and government alone cannot fix GBV, but all stakeholders need to work together to find permanent solutions.

We will continue to put pressure on the Gauteng Department of Community Safety and Security to implement our motion resolutions as a matter of urgency.

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Eldorado Park, Westbury and Riverlea residents’ lives are in danger as gang violence escalates

Gang violence in Eldorado Park, Westbury and Riverlea continues to escalate and is putting the lives of innocent residents in danger.

The latest incident claimed the life of an alleged gang boss from the notorious Fast Guns gang yesterday afternoon. This gang has been operating in the Westbury, Riverlea and Eldorado Park communities for a while now.

Keenan Elias has led the gang war in these communities for far too long, costing the lives of many innocent people.

The turf war between the Fast Guns and the Verados has in recent months taken a toll on people’s lives with more than 100 killings thus far.

The DA urges our communities to remain vigilant, report any incidents of crime to the police and not take matters into their own hands.

We have received news that the war between the two gangs will only intensify because of the killing of the gang leader in days to come, and we urge communities to stay safe and not to confront any potential gangster themselves.

The DA is demanding that the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko and the Gauteng SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela to immediately allocate additional police resources to these communities to ensure a heavy police presence and the safety of residents.

There is a need for police visibility and regular patrols to prevent crime.

For far too long the DA has been pushing for the establishment of the committee of inquiry to look into the tangible solutions to curb gang violence in the province, one life lost is one too many. The residents of Eldoradopark, Riverlea, Westbury and other surrounding areas deserve to feel safe.

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Eldorado Park residents in danger as gangsterism claims life of prominent community leader

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is deeply saddened by the news of the death of community leader, Ayob Mungalee, known as the Ultimate Warrior X. Mungalee was brutally killed in a shooting in Eldorado Park on Sunday evening.

The Westbury, Eldorado Park, Riverlea and Reiger Park communities have been held hostage by gangsterism for a long time now. There is a continuous rise in the number of fatal shooting incidents, with people being shot daily.

Mungalee has been a vital role player within the community in raising awareness about the brutal killings, gangsterism and other socio-economic issues contributing to the violence in the community.

It is alleged that a hit list was shared at the end of last year with various community leaders’ names. A case was opened at the Eldorado Park police station, and this case number has been shared with the DA. We will be writing to the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko and the SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, to determine the progress of the investigation.

The DA extends its condolences to the family and friends of Mungalee and the Eldorado Park community.

The DA demands that the committee of inquiry established by the Community Safety Oversight Committee in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) in December last year must be prioritised. Concrete timelines must be put in place for this inquiry, and tangible solutions must be found to the scourge of gangsterism in the province.

One life lost is one too many. Our residents in the communities hardest hit by gangsterism deserve to feel safe.

We will continue to lobby for more resources to be allocated to our police stations. This will help to address the lack of crime prevention and improve crime intelligence so that gangsters can be apprehended and prosecuted.

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The lack of human resources at Zithobeni police station forces residents to travel 20 kilometres to report crime

Zithobeni residents in Tshwane are forced to travel 20 kilometres to Bronkhorstspruit police station to report incidents of crime because the Zithobeni Police Station does not have human resources. The previous police station was burnt down during a protest 10 years ago.

Even though a new police station was unveiled in 2021 ahead of the Local Government Elections (LGE), no human resources were made available.

Following an oversight inspection in November last year, we tabled questions to the MEC for Community Safety and Security, Faith Mazibuko, regarding allocating resources to this police station. To date, we are still waiting on answers from MEC Mazibuko.

The locks are rusted, the grass has been overgrown, and the building stands unmaintained and unattended.

It has been brought to our attention that there is an increase in drug-related crimes and burglaries in the Zithobeni area, with little to no police presence to prevent crime.

Learners from the Zithobeni High school are falling prey to these criminal elements. The school principal has, on numerous occasions, requested increased police visibility to prevent further criminal activity. Earlier this month, a Grade 8 learner was held hostage.

Given the large geographical area within the jurisdiction of the Bronkhorstspruit police station and the growing population within the area, additional resources must be allocated to this station as a matter of urgency. This will allow the station to be functional and operational.

It is unfair towards the community of Zithobeni that their rights to safety and security as enshrined in the constitution, are not protected and that young learners and other vulnerable groups are left to fend for themselves, while gangsters and criminals are increasing.

The DA will write to MEC Mazibuko to follow up on the unanswered questions to ensure that the Zithobeni police is prioritized and reopened as soon as possible. We will hold her accountable for her department mandate, and she will not get away by ignoring our questions.

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Westbury residents continue to live in fear as gangsterism claims the life of a police officer

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is saddened by the news of a young police officer who was brutally killed in a shooting in Westbury earlier this week.

The Westbury, Eldorado Park, Riverlea, and Reiger Park communities have been held hostage by gangsterism. There is a continuous rise in brutal killings, with people being shot and killed on a daily basis.

The DA has visited all of these communities and the police stations involved. During these visits, we found a much deeper socio-economic problem that has led to these fatalities.

The DA has submitted various questions, and after months of oversight and discussions in the Community Safety oversight committee, we have finally managed to approve a motion to establish a committee of inquiry into the killings and the rise in gangsterism in the province.

The DA extends its condolences to the family of the young police officer who passed away as a result of yet another shooting.

I will be writing to the chairperson of the Community Safety Oversight Committee to bring to his attention the most recent brutal killings and request a formal timeline concerning the establishment of the committee of inquiry and the work it needs to do. This investigation needs to be prioritized. An end should be brought to all killings and gangsterism in this province.

Our residents in the communities hardest hit by gangsterism deserve to feel safe. We will continue to lobby for more resources to be allocated to our police stations to address the lack of crime prevention and improve crime intelligence so that gangsters can be prosecuted.

 

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DA welcomes additional resources allocated to Olievenhoutbosch SAPS to ensure residents’ safety

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng welcomes the allocation of additional resources to assist the under-resourced Olievenhoutbosch SAPS following negotiations and requests by the DA to the Gauteng provincial SAPS.

Residents of Olievenhoutbosch and Knoppieslaagte communities will finally have a sigh of relief knowing that there will be high police visibility and public order policing officers amidst the recent volatility and violence due to the unlawful land grabs.

A court order has been granted to the local community and private landowners, which gives them the mandate to proceed with evictions. The role of the police is to ensure that everyone’s safety is prioritised during the eviction.

The DA has consulted the following: Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, Tshwane MMC for Community Safety, Grandi Theunisen, Olievenhoutbosch SAPS station commander, Gauteng Provincial SAPS Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, and the District Commander to request additional support and resources to assist the under-resourced Olievenhoutbosch Police Station.

Additional public order policing and resources have been deployed from across the province to curb crime and ensure the safety of the residents.

It is through these collaborative efforts where we can work together to ensure that the safety and security of a community is prioritised

During a recent visit to the station, the DA discovered that the station is confident that they have a detailed operational plan in place to ensure the safety of the community. The station also has adequate resources to monitor the area and its surroundings to prevent further hostility, violence, or attacks on the community.

The property rights of the private landowners, as enshrined in the constitution, must be upheld and protected. The DA will continue to monitor the situation and engage the local stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to provide support when needed.

The situation remains volatile but is currently calm. The DA appeals to the community members not to take matters into their own hands and to refrain from fearmongering, remain calm but vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to the police immediately.

In addition, the DA has written to the Tshwane Speaker to request a progress report regarding its official complaint against the EFF Councillor Godwin Ratikwane for a breach of the councillor’s code of conduct and incitement of trespassing and unlawful occupation of the privately owned property within the area.

 

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DA to assess the state of learning and teaching in Bronkhorstspruit schools

Today, 31 January 2023, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL and the DA Constituency Head for Bronkhorstspruit, Crezane Bosch MPL, will conduct oversight inspections at the following schools: Rafano Primary School, Mkhambi Primary School, Mahlenga High School, RJ Sekgolela School, and Zithobeni Secondary School.

The purpose of the oversight inspection is to assess the state of learning and teaching at these schools and ascertain whether these schools have all the much-needed resources to ensure quality learning and teaching.

Refano Primary School has now been closed down due to severe ablution infrastructure issues and all its learners have been moved to Mkhambi Primary School. We will assess how these two schools are progressing and the challenges that they are facing.

The DA will assess if all schools have all the learning resources such as furniture, stationery, adequate classrooms, and teachers.

Members of the media are invited and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

The details of the oversight inspections are as follows:

Oversight one:

Venue: Rafano Primary School, l

Address: 20 Vaal Plaas Kwalappie Str, Bronkhorstspruit.

Time: 09:00-09:30

 

Oversight inspection two

Venue: Mkhambi Primary School,

Address: 186 Sokhulumi, Sokhulumi Village, Bronkhorstspruit.

Time: 09:30-10:00

 

Oversight inspection three

Venue: Mahlenga High School, 111,

Address: Sokhulumi Village, Bronkhorstspruit.

Time: 10:00-10:30

 

Oversight inspection four

Venue: RJ Sekgolela School, Bronkhorstspruit.

Time: 10:30-11:00

 

Oversight inspection five

Venue:Zithobeni Secondary Schools,3567 Mashego Street, Zithobeni Ext3, Bronkhorstspruit, 1024.

Time:11:00-11:30

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DA to assess the state of learning and teaching in Bronkhorstspruit schools

On  Tuesday, 31 January 2023, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL and the DA Constituency Head for Bronkhorstspruit, Crezane Bosch MPL, will conduct oversight inspections at the following schools: Rafano Primary School, Mkhambi Primary School, Mahlenga High School, RJ Sekgolela School, and Zithobeni Secondary School.

The purpose of the oversight inspection is to assess the state of learning and teaching at these schools and ascertain whether these schools have all the much-needed resources to ensure quality learning and teaching.

Refano Primary School has now been closed down due to severe ablution infrastructure issues and all its learners have been moved to Mkhambi Primary School. We will assess how these two schools are progressing and the challenges that they are facing.

The DA will assess if all schools have all the learning resources such as furniture, stationery, adequate classrooms, and teachers.

Members of the media are invited and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

The details of the oversight inspections are as follows:

Oversight one:

Venue: Rafano Primary School, l,

Address: 20 Vaal Plaas Kwalappie Str, Bronkhorstspruit.

Time: 09:00-09:30

Oversight inspection two

Venue: Mkhambi Primary School,

Address: 186 Sokhulumi, Sokhulumi Village, Bronkhorstspruit.

Time: 09:30-10:00

Oversight inspection three

Venue: Mahlenga High School, 111,

Address: Sokhulumi Village, Bronkhorstspruit.

Time: 10:00-10:30

Oversight inspection four

Venue: RJ Sekgolela School, Bronkhorstspruit.

Time: 10:30-11:00

Oversight inspection five

Venue:Zithobeni Secondary Schools,3567 Mashego Street, Zithobeni Ext3, Bronkhorstspruit, 1024.

Time:11:00-11:30

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Thousands of people are being denied opportunities as more than 40 000 Police Clearance Certificates have not been issued

Thousands of people continue to suffer and are being denied access to work and travelling opportunities due to a backlog in issuing police clearance certificates.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) have received information that there is currently a backlog at the Pretoria Police Criminal Record Centre of more than 40 000 police clearance certificates not being issued.

Applications have not been processed since early October and the backlog dates from July this year.

In general, a police clearance certificate should not take longer than 14 days to be processed. This is an important document for many South African’s livelihoods as this is required for a large number of work applications, emigrations, and immigration cases with Home Affairs.

During the Special Oversight Committee for Community Safety and Security on Wednesday, this was indeed confirmed by the Provincial Police Commissioner, citing that this is a national competency and that the Criminal Record Centre is awaiting delivery of government paper.

The DA is concerned that a simple thing such as the lack of paper can cost thousands of people the opportunity to make a living and ensure their economic independence.

The DA will write to the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele and the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety and Security, Faith Mazibuko, to urgently intervene and ensure the delivery of the paper to process the police clearance certificates. Contingency plans should also be put in place to ensure that the backlog is addressed, and police clearance certificates are issued as a matter of urgency.

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DA to lay charges with the Special Investigations Unit for Fraud and Corrupt Activities in the City of Tshwane from 2011-2016

The Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow MEC for Community Safety, Crezane Bosch MPL, and the Councillor and member of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee in the City of Tshwane, Cllr Siobhan Muller will today, Monday, 5 December 2022, open a case with the Special Investigating Unit.

Councillor Siobhan Muller has been working through the systems and structures available to her in council on alleged fraudulent and corrupt activities relating to the purchase of properties by the city since 2017. In terms of Section 34 of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004, the DA has a duty to report such cases to the Special Investigating Unit for investigation.

Members of the media are invited and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

Details of the oversight inspections are as follows:

Date: 5 December 2022

Time: 11.00

Place: Special Investigating Unit, 74 Watermeyer Street, Meyerspark.