Mokonyane tackles crime perception in Gauteng

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Pretoria - Every effort is being made to address the incorrect perceptions about the crime rate in Gauteng, says Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.

Addressing members of the diplomatic community and other stakeholders in Pretoria on Wednesday, Mokonyane said the provincial government was aware of investors' concerns about the perception of crime in the Gauteng, regularly referred to as the crime capital of the world.

However, crime in the province was increasingly being nipped in the bud.

The province was closely monitoring security concerns and was confident of the abilities of police to deal with crime. "We have all the confidence in our men and women in blue. We have seen how they have been able to turn around the situation," she said.

The province has a number of initiatives in place, and on the horizon, to deal with the crime situation. These include specialised interventions - which are part of integrated approach which sees police and tourism authorities working together - aimed at protecting tourists in the province.

Gauteng was embracing international best practises and was eager to learn from other countries on issues such as visible policing and the establishment of mobile police stations," she added.

Mokonyane said the diplomatic community was important to Gauteng and the relationship between the two would help improve the image of the province as well as keep the international community informed.

"We want to bring the warmth of South Africans to the public. We are not a nation that hates people... We are a nation that loves people and cares for everybody," she added.

Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Mzwandile Petros also outlined the recent successes of police in reducing levels of crime, as well as plans for the future.

In previous years, Gauteng has been the worst performing in the country when compared to other provinces in terms of the police assessment tool with regards to crime, but has been steadily improving its position.

It is currently second, behind KwaZulu-Natal, but Petros was confident that Gauteng could emerge on top in coming months.