Newly appointed MEC engages with SAPS provincial leadership
THE NEWLY appointed MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison in the Northern Cape, Limakatso Koloi, has committed to strengthening collaboration between law enforcement and the community to tackle crime, particularly gender-based violence and drug-related offences.
According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Mashay Gamieldien, Koloi met with the Northern Cape SAPS provincial management at the office of provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola in Kimberley on Monday.
The meeting, attended by senior SAPS officials, including deputy provincial commissioners Major-General Luntu Ngubelanga (Crime Detection) and Major-General Jonny Besnaar (Policing), focused on crime-fighting strategies and improving community engagement.
Addressing the SAPS leadership, Koloi expressed her deep respect for the police and emphasised her responsibility in ensuring public safety. She stated that the safety of the people of the Northern Cape is in her hands.
Since assuming office on January 21, Koloi has identified gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as one of the Northern Cape’s most pressing crime-related challenges. She noted that this “pandemic” is a major problem in the province and emphasised the need for community support and co-operation to fight it.
To bolster community involvement in crime prevention, she intends to strengthen structures such as Women Against Crime and Community Policing Forums (CPFs). She pledged to meet with CPFs across the province to find collective solutions to reduce crime.
Another key concern raised during the meeting was the increasing prevalence of drugs in Northern Cape communities. Koloi acknowledged the devastating impact of drug abuse and reiterated her trust in the provincial police leadership to address the issue effectively.
She emphasised that the partnership between the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison and the SAPS must be built on mutual respect and trust, adding that without trust, nothing can function.
Koloi also highlighted the importance of community outreach programmes, noting that direct engagement with residents is crucial for understanding their safety concerns and fostering police-community co-operation.
In closing, the MEC urged law enforcement officers not to be discouraged by negative public perceptions and criticism, encouraging them to stay firm in the fight against crime.
The meeting also included a presentation by Colonel Henry Griffiths from the Provincial Organisational Development and Strategic Management component, providing an overview of the province’s crime profile.
Brigadier Gamieldien concluded by saying that the Northern Cape SAPS leadership welcomed Koloi to her new role and expressed their commitment to working closely with her in the ongoing fight against crime.
