Mobile initiative rolls out essential services to community
The "Service on Wheels" initiative in Galeshewe provided essential government services to the community. Picture: SAPS
THE SOUTH African Police Service (SAPS), in collaboration with various government departments, this week launched an impactful “Service on Wheels” initiative, bringing essential services directly to the community of Galeshewe.
The initiative was so successful that the acting provincial head for Corporate Communication, Colonel Laaiqah de Saldanha, emphasised the importance of rolling out similar programmes across the Northern Cape.
The Service on Wheels programme was developed to provide easily accessible services to the public through mobile units. Government departments involved in Thursday’s initiative at the Galeshewe circle included Home Affairs, Social Development, Justice and Constitutional Development, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), and Pathways to Change Wellness Clinic, a partner of the Department of Health.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock reported that the community of Galeshewe benefited greatly from the initiative. The Department of Home Affairs facilitated Smart Identity Cards and other essential registrations, while the SAPS Mobile Community Services Centre handled affidavits and crime-related queries.
Additionally, Pathways to Change offered screenings for tuberculosis, HIV, and STIs, further supporting the health needs of the community. Legal guidance and information on legislation were also provided by representatives from the departments of Justice and Social Development and Ipid.
The event was attended by several key figures, including the Frances Baard district commissioner, Major-General Charlotte Makgari, and the Kimberley station commander, Brigadier Nicholas Mtongana.
The initiative, spearheaded by Colonel Sebe Qunta and her team from SAPS Provincial Pro-Active Policing, ran smoothly, with the SAPS Provincial Band providing a lively atmosphere for those accessing the various services.
In her closing remarks on the day, Colonel De Saldanha expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the event’s success, highlighting how the initiative went beyond expectations in bringing government services directly to the people. She strongly recommended the programme be extended throughout the Northern Cape, ensuring that more communities benefit from this accessible and efficient approach to service delivery.
