Pretoria- Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has called for collective efforts against child abuse, neglect and exploitation, especially during the festive season.
Mthethwa says members of society, including children, must work together with law-enforcement agencies in combating abuse, neglect and exploitation of children.
“The protection of children must not be seen solely as a policing duty. We cannot apportion parenting of children to police. Parents must parent. Police will police. “
Speaking at the launch of the Gauteng’s Duty Calls Festive Season Campaign at Alexandra, Johannesburg, Mthethwa said communities must not allow criminals to rule the festive season.
“We cannot allow criminals to rob you of your all year earnings which you acquired through legitimate hard work and dedication. This is your sweat and toiling as such you deserve to enjoy your hardwork free from crime.
“But to achieve all these, police cannot do it on their own- they need to your support and working together.”
The minister called on police officers to communicate and remain in touch with communities on an on-going basis.
“As officers, you must hold regular community policing forums; keep victims of crimes updated on progress particularly in areas where you have affected arrests. Failure to do so creates an impression in the public domain that police are and ineffective when in fact on most occasions lots of successes have been achieved.”
The campaign is aimed at maintaining high police visibility throughout Gauteng and clamp down on any criminal elements, including drunk driving, children and women abuse, cash-in-transit heists, ATM bombings and armed robberies that often gain momentum during the festive season.
Mthethwa said Gauteng, which is also the economic hub of the country, has seen improvements in the fight against crime.
Since the beginning of the police operations on 1 July 2013 – end of November 2013, Mthethwa said the police in the province have arrested 10697 suspects for various crimes are currently through the criminal justice system.
These include amongst others 1 103 for murder, 223 for carjacking, 649 for house robberies, 816 for business robberies and 1 590 for sexual offences.
During the same period, Mthethwa said police confiscated 3 392 illegal firearms, 312 454 counterfeit DVDs and 46 937 rounds of ammunition.
Over 495 cordon and search operations were conducted, 6105 liquor outlets were closed about 3 814 roadblocks were conducted while 3 593 counterfeit goods confiscated throughout the province.
Mthethwa added that the police will continue to rid the province of criminality.-SAnews.gov.za
