Heavy sentences await nyaope users
ALEXANDRA - The Gauteng department of community safety has unveiled an ambitious plan to turn around the province dubbed by some as the gangster's paradise to a haven for its citizens.
The Gauteng Department of Community Safety has unveiled an ambitious plan to turn around the province, dubbed by some as gangster’s paradise, to a haven for its citizens.
The plan was announced by the department’s new MEC, Sizakele Nkosi Malobane in Braamfontein a week after the incoming Premier David Makhura unveiled provincial plans to deal with economic, social, governance and public service transformation issues, among others.
Malobane said the success of the plans depended on a climate of security prevailing in all sectors of society.
“This climate will include reviewed safety and road strategies adopted in 2006 to reduce road fatalities, reducing violent and social crime, crime against women and children, eradicating corruption in law enforcement and improving the integration of the department’s work in the criminal justice system,” said Malobane.
She said they would be seeking co-operation of all stakeholders, including communities, through public meetings and seminars.
She said the plan’s implementation would be immediate as part of the premier’s 180 days programme. Some of the immediate activities would include reviewing the Community Policing Forum model, and reducing the number of poorly performing stations in order to improve accountability and community relations.
“There are a number of stations performing badly, and I and the premier will conduct regular unannounced visits, and the department will set agreed minimum performance levels to help them avoid being labelled worst performers,” she said.
Malobane stressed her concern on the increasing level of drug use, especially nyaope, and said her department would now address this effectively after the amendment of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act. The act classifies nyaope as a potent drug, and those found in possession would be liable to a 15-year sentence and dealers would be sentenced to 25 years.
Malobane added that prevention of substance abuse would continue through regular school searches and campaigns. She expressed concern that some law enforcement officers were known to have links with drug dealers and said the department would deal decisively with these rogue elements.
Details: 011 242 3000.
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