KwaZulu-Natal Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster launched
THE vision for the mobilization of all key stakeholders into a solid crime fighting cluster announced by Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Mr. Bheki Cele, in his 2007/2008 financial year budget speech will finally be realized.
Delivering his budget speech on 26 April 2007, Cele announced a number of ground breaking initiatives that will be used in the fight against crime, including the Provincial Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) which he will be chairing.
This ground breaking launch will take place at the weekend (Saturday, June 23, 2006) at the Royal Show Grounds in Pietermaritzburg starting from 09h00. The theme for event “Fighting Crime Together with Communities",is indicative of the objective of the JCPS which seeks to see an integration of efforts in the fight against crime.
Outlining its objectives, the MEC said the cluster would ensure that strategic planners in the Criminal Justice Arena from different spheres of government communicated and planned together on common issues affecting local communities.
This launch was preceded by a successful Provincial Crime Prevention Summit jointly hosted by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Sbu Ndebele and Community Safety and Liaison MEC Mr Bheki Cele in May 2007.
In line with the resolutions of the Provincial Crime Prevention Summit, it was proposed that the KZN JCPS Cluster should develop a Provincial Programme of Actionwhich will include programmes to address the relocation of children off the streets to places of safety, remove dilapidated buildings housing criminals in cities and towns, moral regeneration, strengthening the partnership between business and law enforcement agencies and eradicating the market for stolen goods.
The groundwork to ensure the effectiveness of the cluster has already been laid as MEC Bheki Cele has met with senior officials from the Department of Justice, Department of Home Affairs, members of the Judiciary and members of the Prosecution who have all pledged their support for the establishment of the KZN JCPS.
Safety and Security Minister, Mr.Charles Nqakula will deliver anaddress of support with Ndebele delivering a keynote address and undertaking the official launch of the JCPS Cluster.
It is anticipated that about 5 000 people, representing all of the Department's stakeholders including the SAPS, Community Policing Forums, NGO's, Youth Organizations, Faith Based Organizations, Metro Police, Provincial and National Government Departments, Community as well as religious leaders, will attend the launch.
Entertainment will be provided by L'vovo, Zola 7, Ithemba & DJ Linda Sibiya.