MZANSI'S Deputy President Paul Mashatile has told Parliament that the government is doing all it can to fight crime in the country.
Mashatile responded to oral questions in the National Assembly on Thursday afternoon, 9 November.
Economic Freedom Fighter EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu asked Mashatile whether in his capacity as the chairman of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, he has had any extensive engagement with the minister of police to understand fully the true extent of the police response to increased lawlessness and the areas of police incapacity to deal with crime in the country.
Mashatile responded by saying that as part of their efforts to assess the government's progress in implementing its programmes, he and President Cyril Ramaphosa have been meeting all ministers, deputy ministers, director generals and heads of departments.
"In this regard, the president and I have had the opportunity to meet with the minister, deputy minister and commissioner of police to brief us on the departmental plans to fight crime in the Republic of South Africa," he said.
"The ministry is implementing Operation Shanyela, a comprehensive plan to combat crime nationwide. The plan includes clamping down on illegal mining areas," Mashatile said.
He said the SAPS has also established specialised units to work with business, private security and state-owned entities to tackle illegal mining, the construction mafia, cable theft and the vandalism of economic infrastructure.
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"Honourable speaker, I have confidence not only in Minister Cele, Deputy Minister Mathale and Commissioner Masemola but in all men and women in blue right to the lowest-ranking police officers who are committed to fighting and defeating crime in our communities," he said.
Some of the questions asked were regarding the statement of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster on 8 July 2022, which made reflections on the progress that government is making in implementing what the expert panel highlighted after the deadly July 2021 arrest which left over 350 people dead.
The panel highlighted the weaknesses within the justice and security system, such as the failure of state institutions to conduct timely risk assessments and the inability of the institutions to forewarn the police and government of the impending violence.
Mashatile said 10 000 police trainees have already graduated this year, and this recruitment drive will be implemented annually for the next two financial years, bringing a total of 30 000 new police recruits in the medium-term period to increase the capacity of their police officers.
