As part of strengthening the fight against crime, the Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Vusi Shongwe has urged the provincial SAPS Junior Station Commanders to stay away from criminal activities that could lead them to securing criminal records.
   
The MEC was speaking at a Gala Dinner that was held on Friday, July 8, at Casambo Guest Lodge in Mbombela. The occasion saw Junior Station Commanders from 86 police stations across the province participating.

MEC Shongwe appealed to the Junior Station Commanders to do everything they can to avoid criminal offences. “I am asking you to work with your peers to ensure that you stay clean from crime and criminal offences,” said MEC Shongwe.

The MEC urged the Junior Station Commanders to send the message to other young people that criminal records will haunt them later in life when they want to pursue their careers.

In addition, the MEC indicated that the Department has built a Traffic Training College in Mkhuhlu, Bushbuckridge Municipality stating that there will be no student with a criminal record who will be trained at the college.

“Young people must stay clean and avoid criminal records. I know that even the SAPS will never take people with criminal records when recruiting as well. This goes to other opportunities in life in which a criminal record is a disadvantage,” explained MEC Shongwe.

Meanwhile, Shongwe also urged all his Junior Station Commanders to go back home with the message that in the Province of Mpumalanga, there should be no Police Killing. He said as part of the department’s work to discourage this bad phenomenon, the department crafted a slogan, “Wabulala Iphoyisa, Wabulala Umphakathi”.

The MEC also requested the provincial commissioner to operationalize a campaign called “Bring Back Umkhono Wekati”, which means surrender your firearm. He explained that with this campaign, the department aims to collect all illegal guns from the hands of criminals and other people who are not allowed to carry or have them. He said the department together with SAPS will need to work with all Junior Station Commanders to clean the Province of Mpumalanga.

“You must share this message with your peers. They must understand that we all have a responsibility to protect Police Officials because their primary obligation is to keep us safe. How then do we kill those who are on the street all the time, working night and day just to keep us safe,” said Shongwe.

In preventing crime, Shongwe said the department will hold a Peace and Stability Indaba to discuss all issues that threatens the livelihood of the people of Mpumalanga. He stated that where there is no peace and stability, there can be no development and prosperity.

The MEC said people are shutting down schools, burning halls and clinics, young people being permanent patrons at taverns, drinking like there is no tomorrow and all these destroy the future of young people.

During the same occasion, the MEC announced a proposal to conduct a confidential level vetting for members of the Community Policing Forums (CPF’s). He said that this was informed by the principle that those who lead such an important community structure should not have criminal records.

Mpumalanga SAPS Provincial Commissioner, LT. Gen Mondli Zuma has also echoed the MEC’s sentiments that young people should stay away from crime so that they are able to grab opportunities available within SAPS. He said there are many opportunities within the service and it is not only about law enforcement or policing. He has also encouraged learners to study and not be tempted to do crime.

Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
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