Chairperson, thanks to the hon member, Makhadlela.
During the xenophobic incidents of 2008-09, the SA Police Service introduced awareness campaigns to affect the acceptance of foreign nationals. The following provinces embarked on awareness campaigns: North West, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
If we look at each province, hon member, starting with the Northern Cape, awareness campaigns were conducted in partnership with Project Harmony through music and song, where the community of De Aar was addressed on violent crimes and xenophobia. In Kimberley, in the Galeshewe and Roodepan areas, awareness programmes were held that addressed crimes relating to the fabric of society and xenophobia.
The Community Crime Prevention Programme was conducted, involving parents, educators, learners and community members, on violence at schools, drug abuse and xenophobia in KwaZulu-Natal as a committee initiative of the provincial joints, which are KwaZulu-Natal and the Ethekwini Metro Council. The primary objective of the committee was to issue a clear anti-xenophobic communication by the relevant government departments, namely the Human Rights Desk, the Ethekwini Municipality, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and civil society partners.
The SAPS and other leading departments conducted various educational campaigns on foreign nationals - we have listed all activities which were embarked upon, hon member. In the Western Cape, the SAPS established a committee consisting of members of the office of the premier, the department of community safety, the department of local government and housing and the department of social development. The committee went back to the area where foreign nationals were displaced from to educate the communities. This resulted in 98% of the displaced people being resettled successfully in their communities.
In the Eastern Cape, the SAPS, together with the department of safety and liaison and community police forums and the provincial board, conducted provincial campaigns aimed at educating the community at large and foreign nationals to respect human rights. The Eastern Cape is one of the provinces which were the least affected by xenophobic attacks. This was as a result of numerous campaigns held in the province.
In Mpumalanga, the SAPS conducted educational campaigns during the xenophobic attacks, which were done in co-operation with the office of the MEC for safety and security in the form of radio shows where members of the SAPS provincial communication provided information on attacks as well as the legal implications and impact on the country's safety and security. At least 10 talk shows on local radio stations were held; four izimbizo were held in KwaMhlanga, Secunda, Vosman and Acornhoek where attacks were discouraged and the implications explained.
In Gauteng, two projects aimed at raising awareness on the criminal aspects of xenophobia have been approved and will take place this month, August 2009. Thank you, Chair.
Plans to upgrade police stations in KwaZulu-Natal
2. Mr D D Gamede (ANC) asked the Minister of Police:
Whether the SA Police Service has any plans to upgrade police stations in (a) Nkandla at Nxamalala, (b) Dondotha, Ward 9, Mbonambi and (c) Gingindlovu-Mvutshini management areas; if not, why not; if so, what plans? CO27E
Chairperson, perhaps I may add to the first question that, whilst the police have been involved in these activities, it is the task of all of us, as members of society, to educate our people about the dangers of xenophobia, generally, and the need for all of us to co-operate on a number of issues, including residing together.
The site was cleared and finalised for the proposed construction of the new police station at Nkandla, kwaNxamalala. The request was made for funding, planning and construction of this police station. Once funding has been approved, the planning of this project will commence.
On the second question, which is a question directed to my constituency, the station at Dondotha, Ward 9, KwaMbonambi, is not on the province's priority list for capital works. However, a feasibility study has been conducted by the provincial head of KwaZulu-Natal's efficiency services, and it determined that there is a need for a police station to be constructed.
On the third question, a project has been registered with the Department of Public Works for major repairs and the upgrading of Gingindlovu police station. Consultants have been appointed for the planning of this project. However, owing to budgetary constraints, this project could not proceed. I thank you.
Ngqongqoshe ohloniphekile, Nyambose, ngiyazibonga izimpendulo engizitholayo kodwa-ke ziyangenelisa futhi ngithemba ukuthi nemiphakathi yakulezindawo iyaneliseka yilezi zimpendulo. Engifuna ukukwazi ukuthi UNgqongqoshe angakwazi ukusinikeza nini izimali njengoba sesizokwakhiwa isiteshi samaphoyisa lapha eNkandla, kanjalo nomahamba nendlwane oDondotha naseGingindlovu. Lezimali zingahle zitholakale nini, kulonyaka olandelayo noma kuwo lo esikuwo? (Translation of isiZulu paragraphs follows.)
[Mr D D GAMEDE: Hon Minister, Nyambose, thank you for your replies; they are satisfactory and I hope the communities of these places are satisfied with these replies as well.
What I would like to know though is, when are we going to receive these monies since we are going to start building a police station at Nkandla, and up satellite police stations at Dondotha and Gingindlovu? Are we going to get that money this year or next year?]
Hon Chair, in all fairness, I think we have missed this financial year's cycle. I think it will form part of the next financial year. It cannot be this year.
On the issue of the police station at Dondotha, the community there asked for exactly what the hon member is asking for, namely a satellite police station, but the feasibility study points to the need for a fully fledged police station. Thank you very much.
Availability of funds to buy cars for police stations in KwaZulu-Natal that have a shortage of transport 3. Mr D D Gamede (ANC) asked the Minister of Police:
Whether the SA Police Service has any funds available to buy cars for police stations with a shortage of transport such as Gingindlovu police station in KwaZulu-Natal; if not, how are police officers expected to arrest criminals without transport; if so, what are the relevant details? CO28E
Hon Chair, the first part of the answer is yes, the SA Police Service has been allocated a sum of R1,070 million for the purchasing of vehicles in the 2009-10 financial year. Of this amount, R175 000 has been allocated to the provincial commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal for the purchasing of vehicles in KwaZulu-Natal. It is confirmed that provisions have been made for five vehicles to be purchased for Gingindlovu police station: 4x4s, LDVs - the hon member would know these car terms, I know - and one 1600cc sedan will be provided to the Gingindlovu police station in order to address shortages that may exist.
The national commissioner has also identified the reassessment of the allocation of vehicles as a priority across the entire substructure. The reassessment will address the need for a more appropriate allocation of vehicles, because, hon member, we have been asked this question before, whether we are allocating or deploying adequately the resources we have, in line or in proportion with the needs of the people out there. Thank you very much. Assessment of security of storeroom at Nelspruit police organised crime unit
4. Mr T M H Mofokeng (ANC) asked the Minister of Police: (1) Whether his department has done an assessment of the security of the storeroom at the Nelspruit police organised crime unit where mandrax tablets valued at close to R4 million were recently stolen; if so,
(2) whether the security has been found to be effective as some of the largest quantities of drugs that are confiscated from syndicates in the region are kept there; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?