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