MEC MORWENG STATEMENT ON THE OVERSIGHT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS DURING THUNTSHA LEROLE

DELAREYVILLE – The MEC for the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng acknowledges challenges experienced by all 86 police stations across the Province. As part of the Government’s Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, Thuntsha Lerole in Tswaing Municipality, the MEC conducted an oversight visit to the Delareyville Police Station. Among challenges highlighted are shortages of personnel, vehicles and delay in fixing even some of smallest damages in buildings like lights, geysers and taps.

“The problems are common across the Province”, says MEC Morweng.

One other matter which is a source of disenchantment is that suspects will be arrested by police but later released by the justice system. To mitigate this, the Department has instituted what is called ‘court brief’. This is a process where Departmental officials attend court hearings during appearance of suspects to ensure that from police’ side all processes have been followed correctly. This is to ensure that suspects are not released on technicalities or as a result of poor investigations.

“In terms of personnel shortage we will request for more from National Commissioner through the Office of the Provincial Commissioner. To deal with this, the Police have for the past couple of years been recruiting over ten thousand young people per year as part of broader crime fighting strategy”, says MEC Morweng.

Earlier before the Thuntsha Lerole activities began, MEC Morweng led law enforcement operations on arterial routes in and around Delareyville. The operation has been ongoing this week. A total over two hundred vehicles were stopped and searched this morning on among other routes the N14 national road. Of these, 48 drivers were issued with summonses for a variety of offences and two vehicles were discontinued.

“As part of Premier’s Thuntsha Lerole Programme, this is also part of October Transport Month. Though we will still launch the activities, law enforcement operations will continue as year end travelings have already begun. We are also imploring on all law enforcement officers to ensure their vehicles comply and drivers themselves are well rested before long distance driving to reduce road crashes. Our officers are all over to ensure compliance is nonnegotiable”, says MEC Morweng.

ENDS!!!