The Western Cape Government has made progress on all the Khayelitsha Commission recommendations directed at us. We dispute any suggestion to the contrary.
No less than 13 of the 20 Khayelitsha Commission recommendations relate directly to SAPS, and all 20 of the recommendations are dependent on SAPS. And indeed, Khayelitsha Cluster Commander, Major General Brand, has been doing everything possible to give effect to the proposals.
The SJC is well aware of this.
We fought all the way to the Constitutional Court for the Premier's right to create this Commission. We will continue fighting for progress on its recommendations, on behalf of residents of Khayelitsha and the Western Cape.
The initial opposition by SAPS to the Commission's findings, and constant instability in SAPS management, has been a major frustration to ourselves and our community partners in Khayelitsha. This situation cannot be resolved by protesting outside our offices.
While limited by the lack of support from National Government, the remarkable work done by Major General Brand in Khayelitsha is testimony to a policing authority on the ground that is in service of the Community.
Despite the obstacles, we have made progress on Recommendation 12 (Youth Gangs, p. 457 of the Commission's Report):
Regarding school safety, the provincial Education Department has extensive programmes and policies in place:
The other recommendations to which the provincial government is directly linked have received top priority. For instance, greater support and resources to Community Policing Forums are being provided, the Alcohol Harms Reduction Game Changer is up and running as a strategic provincial priority, and our oversight mandate has been strengthened by the Community Safety Act (which provides for a Police Ombudsman, Neighbourhood Watch professionalisation, and more Regular Crime Stats, amongst other matters).
A detailed update on progress with the Khayelitsha Commission recommendations will be provided on the 2nd anniversary of the Commission's completion, 26 August 2016.
Michael Mpofu
Spokesperson for Premier Helen Zille
071 564 5427
021 483 4584
Michael.Mpofu@westerncape.gov.za