President Ramaphosa welcomes WC cooperation agreement

‘’Die mense van Kaapstad is moeg vir die gangsters.’’ [Capetonians are tired of gangsters]

These words were uttered by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who delivered the keynote address at the signing of the Western Cape Cooperation Agreement for Safety and Policing, in Belhar, Cape Town, on Friday.

The three spheres of government -  the South African Police Service (SAPS), Western Cape Government (WCG) and City of Cape Town (CoCT) - have drafted a cooperation agreement aimed at reducing rampant crime in the Cape metro.

PICTURE: SAPS

‘’ We are bringing together national, provincial and local government, the SAPS, the City of Cape Town, community organisations and private security companies. This agreement is part of efforts to improve policing and community safety for all the residents of Cape Town,’’ said President Cyril Ramaphosa

‘’We are pledging to make the best use of the resources of the SAPS, the provincial government and the City of Cape Town. We are committing to work more closely with community based organisations and civil society structures in the fight against crime.  Hulle is ons oë en ore op die grond. Wat ook al in ons gemeenskappe gebeur, hulle weet daarvan. Community-based organisations are working to make our communities safer, supporting survivors of crime, and providing invaluable services to our people,’’ added Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa said under this cooperation agreement, the three spheres of government will be sharing technology and resources, information and best practice to improve the state of public policing.

‘’Through this agreement we are sharpening our response to serious and violent crime. The exchange of information on crime activity and suspects will make this province safer. The exchange of information of new crime trends will ensure that we are one step ahead of criminals.’’

 ‘’Greater collaboration will make it easier to trace suspects and wanted persons who are evading arrest and prosecution. By drawing on each other’s expertise, we will be able to do much more than if we were each working alone. This is an approach that we are taking across the country,’’ added Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa called on citizens to join national and provincial government, the SAPS and the City of Cape Town to help take communities back from criminality.

 

Done By: Mitchum George