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"The concrete benefits which have flowed from our Western Cape Imbizos are direct proof of the value which Imbizo meetings add to our democracy." With these words, Western Cape Premier, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, accompanied by the MEC for Community Safety, Minister Leonard Ramatlakane and the Western Cape Police Commissioner, Mzwandile Petros, announced the official extension of the SAPS operating hours in Mamre to a full 24-hour service.

"On Saturday, 30 August, during the Presidential Imbizo in Khayelitsha, our Government was asked, by Mrs Maria Adams of Mamre, about the satellite police station in her area - which she claimed was often closed both during working hours and after hours when it was badly needed," said the Premier. "We undertook to investigate the matter and take action within two weeks. That Monday I sent a team of officials from my office to investigate. They arrived at the Mamre Police Station at 11:45 to find the offices closed, with no visible indication of any after-hours contact numbers, opening times, or emergency contacts. They also met an elderly resident from the area who was urgently looking for the police to certify a document so that he could register his child for a much-needed social grant. Clearly Mrs Adams's complaint had identified a serious problem in the community."

Speaking about the steps which the Provincial Government had taken to address the issue, the Premier said: "After an internal investigation it was decided that the Mamre Police Station will remain a satellite station of the Atlantis SAPS, but will, with immediate effect, begin offering a 24-hour service to the people of this area."

Commenting on the link between Imbizos and service delivery the Premier added: "Our Government is committed to building a World Class Province which Cares for all its people, but we cannot be everywhere all the time and that is why Imbizos are so important. They provide a direct channel of communication between our people and their Government. They allow us to hear about the issues which most concern our communities, and they allow us to make a real difference. We appeal to all of the communities of our province to bring issues like these to our attention - it is only with the active partnership of our people that the Western Cape Government can bring lasting change."

Asked about other initiatives being taken by the Provincial Government to reduce crime in the Western Cape, the Premier said: "In addition to a number of actions like opening new courts, extending the very successful CCTV crime cameras, making greater use of asset forfeiture and the SANDF, we are also addressing the policing shortages which have plagued our communities and which former Western Cape administrations did little to combat. We are therefore, in partnership with National Government, adding 6000 new SAPS members to police our streets - increasing our total police force from 12 000 to 18 000 by the end of next year. One example of this is, in fact, the Atlantis SAPS which this month received 7 new recruits to add to their crime fighting capacity."

Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp, Cell: 083-778-9923

Issued by the Office of the Premier, 15 September 2003