The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s (GPL) Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has urged the Tshwane Metro Police Department to work closer with communities in a bid to fight violence and crime in the City.

The Tshwane Metro Police Department led by the City’s MMC for Community Safety, Cllr Karen Meyer appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety last night to brief the Committee on its plans to fight violence and crime that has erupted in the City recently.

A plea was made to the Metro Police Department to work closer with community-based structures to prioritise the establishment of active and effective partnerships that will deal decisively with violence and criminal activities that have sparked the City.

The Committee advised the Metro Police that it was through active partnerships that residents will begin to regain trust and confidence in the Police and address crime in a coordinated and focussed manner.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee Honourable Mapiti Matsena emphasised that working closer with communities to fight crime will promote a shared understanding and common vision of creating a safer city for all its residents.

Honourable Matsena further urged the Metro Police to embark on community-based education and information sharing sessions as a means of facilitating meaningful community participation in the fight against crime.

The Committee welcomed the presentation made by the City as a working document that should be continuously improved through soliciting inputs from residents of the City.

The Committee made a commitment to oversee the implementation of the plans presented with a view of ensuring their effective application for the betterment and safety of the residents of Tshwane.

ISSUED BY GPL’S MEDIA SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY SAFETY, HONOURABLE MAPITI MATSENA

For interview requests with the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee please contact: Mr Thebe Khumalo on
011 498 5948 / 072 266 1021 email: TKhumalo@gpl.gov.za