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Naidoo's address on behalf of the MEC
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Safety Liaison and Transport

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 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
ADDRESS BY NEIL NAIDOO ON BEHALF OF THE MEC FOR PROVINCIAL SAFETY, LIAISON AND TRANSPORT
ON 22 SEPTEMBER 1999





Area Commissioner of Queenstown Commissioner Mlilwana
 Distinguished Guest
 Members of the South African Police Service
 Ladies and Gentlemen



1.Firstly on behalf of the MEC for Provincial Safety Liaison and Transport Mr D. Neer we wish to extend our deepest sympathy and condolence 
to the family of Sgt Wanyaza from Cofimvaba who was killed on the 21 of September 1999

2. To the Area Commissioner of Queenstown and your members, the Department of Safety and Security is grateful for your acknowledgement of 
the importance of prayer in our life, especially for active dedicated and committed men and women of the police service. To the spouses, 
mothers, fathers, brother and sisters of these dedicated men and women who risk their lives 24 hours a day to commit themselves to the 
creation of a safe and secure environment for all the people in South Africa we say thank you for the sacrifices and contributions you make 
daily.

3. To the fallen heroes of the South African Police Service who died while in the course of duty service and committed to protecting our 
communities, we salute you and my your souls rest in peace.

4. To the families of our fallen heroes we may never understand the pain you go through but our thoughts are continuously with you and the 
one thing we are assure of is that our loved ones are safe in the arms of the Lord.

5. We are aware that criminals are tempted to target police members. We would like to remind them that there is already and act of 
Parliament which provides the minimum sentence of life imprisonment in the event of a conviction for killing police members. The National 
Department of Safety and Security under Minister Steve Tshwete together with Provincial MECs for Safety and Security view police killing 
in a very serious light, and have put in place a national multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the increase spate of police 
killings.

6. Criminals have declared war against the South African Public. In response our democratic government formulated the NCPS which would 
serve as a basis for the eradication of criminal activity which has pervaded practically all spheres of life in our country. What is 
required is the ruthless implementation of effective policing by all police members to indicate to criminals about our intentions.

7. The struggle for democracy is not yet over. Some progress has been made in the re-orientating the mandate, and resources of the police 
service. But South Africa cannot be democratic as long as the police service human and physical resources is not accessible to all our 
people or orientated to meeting the priority crime areas which is predominantly in black communities.

8. To transform anything with a past of the historical nature of the police which has a limited range of possible futures. For an 
organisation like the police to transform, it must change its historical basis for existence. From oppressing black people to serving all 
the people of S.A. irrespective of colour.

9. Transformation and particularly affirmative action policies of the police service have been but just structures in the police service in 
the Eastern Cape. Newspapers over the last weekend reported that racism is driving Eastern Capes top white police officers out of the 
"force". The mere fact that the newspaper used the word "force" reflects that the people who are leaving are battling to accept the change 
from a force to a service.

10. The so called White "Top Cops" who are leaving the service in the Eastern Cape come from a history of policing in a racist society and 
have not yet accepted the democratic principles of our country where all persons are equal irrespective of colour. One needs to ask why top 
black cops did not quit under a previous racist regime, and further why were there plights never published because racism was more rife 
than ever before then.

11. Some of these top cops who are leaving the police service presently hold strategic position which are aimed at reducing crime, but, one 
needs to ask what have they done to reduce crime in this Province, and further are they committed to reducing crime. We can assure all the 
communities of this Province that policing will not collapse after these so called top cops leave, but rather policing will be strengthened 
as some of these cops have been barriers to the transformation process.

12. It must also be pointed out that South Africas democracy is only 5 years old, therefore policing in a New South Africa requires a new 
experience.

13. The SAPS requires new managers with new vision, new ways of thinking and a new language.

14. To effectively deal with crime in South Africa we must have a united South Africa Police Service that look beyond the boundaries of 
black and white with the ultimate aim of effective service delivery. Police men and women together with our communities must assist us to 
rid the police service of these few corrupt members who are tainting the police service.

15.To achieve this we need to strengthen our community policing forums in communities bringing our police services and communities together 
around common problems, there is also a need to emphasis the need for all our citizens to become involved in efforts to combat and reduce 
crime levels in this Province. The single major challenge we face is to change the mindset of our population that still continue to see 
crime as being the exclusive responsibility of the State. If crime stems from society, it is also society that must find solutions within 
itself.

16. Lastly the fight against crime should not be a political tool to attack the governing party, but should remain a collective response, 
spearheaded, of course, by the SAPS and CPFs.

17. I want to conclude with the opening lines of President Mbekis first speech as President in Parliament on 25th June 1999.

"We are on course. Steadily, the dark clouds of despair are lifting, giving way to our season hope.Our country which for centuries, has 
been from a thousand wounds is progressing towards its healing.The continuing process of social and national emancipation, to which we are 
all subject, constitutes an involving act of self definition.At the dawn of a new life, our practical actions must ensure that none can 
challenge us when we say We are a nation at work to build a better life.

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