POTCHEFSTROOM: 14 August 2023 - The Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale, MP succesfully led the Gender Based Violence & Femicide (GBVF) as well as Substance & Drug Abuse Imbizo. The Deputy Minister was accompanied by Deputy Ministers for Employment & Labour, Ms B Moloi and Mr J Jeffrey of Justice and Constitutional Development in the Imbizo held on Saturday, 12 August 2023, at Ikageng Stadium, outside Potchefstroom. The MEC for Safety & Transport Management, Mr Sello Lehari, the Deputy National Commissioner of Crime Detection, Lt Gen Sibiya, the North West Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Sello Kwena and his Deputies, the Acting Mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality, Cllr Mkhabela and various government departments' Senior Managers and Heads of Entities were also in attendance.
There were also members of the community who were afforded an opportunity to raise their dissatisfactions and complaints. The latter included lack of resources, construction of new police station, stipend for Community Police Forum members, illegal mining, challenges relating to drug abuse, involvement of police officers in corruption, how and where to report high ranking officers and non-fulfilment of promises made during the previous Izimbizo, among others.
In response, the Deputy Ministers, Ms Moloi and Mr Jeffrey, government departments' Senior Managers and Heads of Entities, gave necessary advises and pledged to attend to the concerns affecting their departments. As part of the commitment to fight corruption in the Service, the Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lt Gen Sibiya gave members of the community his cell number.
Upon addressing the community and responding to their concerns, the Deputy Minister Mathale explained the importance of collaboration of all three spheres of government to render services including the fight against crime as municipalities do not have enough resources. He indicated that listening to the community is part of working together. He said: "When we came here to listen to you is part of the process of us working together with you by listening and responding to your suggestions so that we can work better as a team." The Deputy Minister used the platform to inform the community about recruitment of 10 000 police officers and encouraged youth to apply more so that applicants' age is now 35.
Regarding corruption, he made it clear that corrupt police officers will not be tolerated and that those who are involved in corrupt activities, will change a blue uniform for the orange one. He urged members of the community to come forth with information that will assist to nail corrupt and dishonest police officers.
The Deputy Minister said in conclusion that the fight against abuse of women and children as well as drug and substance abuse are like a very long walk to freedom. He however, said that there is no going back, but going forward for a better life for all and that although the journey is not going be easy, they are prepared and determined to walk together with the community.
To conclude the Imbizo, a Gender Based Violence and Substance and Drug Abuse pledge was signed by all dignitaries, stakeholders including the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM).