The Eastern Cape provincial government, through Sanral, has invested R405m to establish the Freeway Management System. The system is fitted with hi-tech cameras installed along strategic routes and manned 24/7 by law enforcement agencies to address community safety challenges.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane encouraged municipalities to also roll out cameras in all towns to help in the fight against crime. The latest crime statistics for the Eastern Cape show encouraging progress in several high-impact categories.
The report indicates that murder has decreased by 21.5%, attempted murder by 16.2% and aggravated robbery by 20%, signalling that government s intensified crimefighting interventions are beginning to have an impact, particularly in major hotspots such as Mthatha, East London, New Brighton, Kwazakhele, Lusikisiki, Ngcobo and Gatyana.
The South African Police Service intervened decisively in these areas and continues to safeguard communities. The businesses which were forced to close by extortionists in Mthatha have since reopened and people are back in their jobs.
We welcome the decision of the president to deploy the army in our province, following our plea. The army will strengthen the fight against gangs, drugs and extortion. We would like to see soldiers deployed in the eastern side to combat stock theft and protect catalytic infrastructure projects,” Mabuyane said.
He said government remained deeply concerned about the 4.8% rise in sexual offences, which continued to excessively affect women and children across the province. He said 413 cases of adolescent pregnancies had been referred to the South African Police for investigation for statutory rape.
We are in talks with the national government for one social worker to be employed in each school so that they can deal with issues affecting learners.” The numbers reaffirm that much more must be done to confront gender-based violence and substance-abuse-related crimes which place communities at risk. Government has established designated courts in Gcuwa, Bityi, Dimbaza, East London and Gqeberha to speed up sexual-offence cases.
As we move forward, this administration will intensify support to policing efforts, expand community safety partnerships, and strengthen prevention programmes, because no society can prosper while its people live in fear.”
