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Mpumalanga Safety and Security MEC, Thabang Makwetla on Thursday, 30 May 2002, held a series of meetings with various stakeholders in Mkhondo municipality. The MEC was accompanied by the senior management of the department, the GOCOC Structure of the South African Police Service, the Head of the Commando Unit Based in Group 12, The Rural Action Committee (TRAC), Eastern Highveld Area Board, and the Security Co-ordinators in the farming communities.

The purpose of those meetings was to improve the relationship between all stakeholders and bridge the gap between the farmers and farm workers. The aim of these meetings was to encourage the farming communities to interact with the police, SANDF and the government to eradicate crime in their communities.

MEC Makwetla said that the purpose of yesterday's meetings was to encourage the interaction between the framers, labourers, tenants, SAPS, SANDF and other stakeholders in the farming communities.

MEC Makwetla kick-started his programme by having a meeting with station Commissioners, Mayors and Counsellors, farmers, farm labourers and tenants from areas such as Piet Retief, Dirkiesdorp and Driefontein.

The MEC concluded his trip by addressing a community meeting at Piet Retief's eThandukukhanya Community Hall.

The following are some of the issues and concerns, which were raised:

* Stock theft across the border, theft of timber, veld fires and farm killings as predominantly committed by illegal immigrants; ·
* Utilisation of illegal immigrants by some farm owners creates problems for local communities because when these people commit crimes it becomes difficult for the police to trace them as they do not have any form of identity; ·

* High crime incidents in Amsterdam as a result of high unemployment rate of people staying in the RDP houses; ·

* Community Police Forums are constituted mainly by black people and farmers are reluctant to take part in CPFs; ·

* Insufficient resources at various police stations makes it difficult for police to work; ·

* The vastness of the land in the farms makes it difficult for the police to respond timeously to the complaints; · Inaccessibility of rural areas by the police because of infrastructural problems and communication; ·

* Problem of security around Mahamba Swaziland: Stolen vehicles are transported to Swaziland from Johannesburg; and·

* Racial tendencies in some police stations like Greylingstad where all white officers resigned because of the appointment of a black Station Commissioner. The said officials opted to join the Commando Unit, the cause of concern is the fact they have abandoned the SAPS and yet they continue to utilise the government resources to protect their own interests and not the interests of government.

The MEC further recommended the following:

* Commandos must patrol their respective areas with full knowledge of the South African Police Service; ·

* The MEC said that by virtue of the economic role that the farmers play, they have a critical role to also become partners with the government in provision of security to their labourers and tenants; and·

* MEC Makwetla encouraged farmers to exercise openness towards their employees, as this will enhance their capacity to provide security to them.

Farmers were also encouraged to list as police reservists as this will enable them to help patrol the border areas and the farms.

The meeting recommended the installation of radio control room so that they can link up with the radio room in Ermelo to enable them to closely monitor the cross border crime.

In conclusion, the MEC recommended that the department consolidate a report in relation to all activities that were undertaken and a task team be established involving all stakeholders and advice the MEC accordingly.

Enquiries: Moeti Mmusi at (013) 766 4037/8 or 073 228 7661

Issued by Safety and Security, Mpumalanga, 31 May 2002