President Cyril Ramaphosa has dubbed the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the three spheres of government joining forces to combat crime in the province as a ‘very historic moment’ of decisive action, Cape {town} Etc reports.
This comes as SAPS, the Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town came together on Friday, 30 August, to officially sign the Western Cape Cooperation Agreement for Safety and Policing.
Also read: SAPS, WC government and City reaches agreement to enhance security
Speaking during the signing ceremony at Erica Parks Sports Ground in Belhar, President Ramaphosa said South Africans have had enough of criminals terrorising communities and making them fear for their lives.
‘As parents, teachers and learners, we are tired of thugs causing chaos inside our schools and bringing weapons and drugs into classrooms,’ added Ramaphosa in his keynote address.
‘We are tired of our young people’s lives being wasted by tik, nyaope, whoonga, Tusi, buttons and other drugs. People of Cape Town are tired of gangsters. These gangsters are tearing communities apart and costing innocent lives. Business are tired of being forced to pay protection fees and of being under seige from criminals who are destroying their livelihood.
‘Today, by signing this Cooperation Agreement, we are saying enough is enough.’
Many have called the historic turn of events surprising because the SAPS and City law enforcement agencies have, for many years, been at loggerheads, reported Smile FM. Following the formation of the Government of National Unity, the two entities have finally chosen to put their differences aside, as crime levels continue to rise in the metro and wider province.
‘We are taking decisive action to combat crime here in Cape Town, which has become the capital of criminality, gang violence, murder and other related criminal activities including drug peddling and abuse,’ said Ramaphosa.
Honoured to have the President of the Republic, @CyrilRamaphosa attend the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between @SAPoliceService @WesternCapeGov and @CityofCT
This is indeed a pivotal milestone in our collective effort to ensure the safety and security of our… pic.twitter.com/aA7BJcb6ku— Senzo Mchunu (@Senzo_Mchunu_) August 30, 2024
The agreement will take immediate effect and will remain in place for the duration of the seventh administration, with an intention to roll it out to other provinces and metros.
The agreement will bring together national, provincial and local government, the SAPS, the City of Cape Town, community organisations and private security companies.
The president explained that the agreement will pave the way for sharing technology and resources, information and best practice to improve the state of public policing, adding that the exchange of information on crime activity and suspects will make the province safer.
‘The City, alone, contributes to 80% of crimes in the whole of the Western Cape,’ said Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
‘This morning, we released crime statistics for the last quarter of the previous financial year and the first quarter of the current financial year. The Western Cape recorded the highest increase in murder cases.’
According to the latest stats, the province saw a 27.5% increase in murder cases during the first three months of the year. Between April and June, there was a 21% increase.
Concluding his speech, Ramaphosa appealed to the residents of Cape Town to work together to ‘take our communities back from those who cause violence, discord and criminality’.
‘We cannot win the war against crime without you,’ said Ramaphosa.
‘Let us continue to work together to realise a Cape Town, a Western Cape and a South Africa that has no place for criminals and crime.’
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