Reagen Allen, MPP and DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Community Safety says: From tomorrow onwards, the National Government will be diverting SAPS resources towards a week-long, mega-blitz labour inspection of the Western Cape hospitality industry – mere days after the EFF began its illegal, xenophobic oversight visits on restaurants. This can only be described as a desperate attempt to remain relevant by making use of divisive politics, instead of focusing all efforts on actually fighting crime.
The Department of Employment and Labour will be making use of resources from both the Department of Home Affairs and South African Police Services in order to inspect labour law compliance in institutions like hotels, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts. Whilst all entities should adhere to the law and its requirements, we question whether it is necessary to pull policing resources away from crime fighting in order to conduct these inspections. The timing of this decision cannot be ignored – especially when many residents do not feel safe in their own communities.
In the Western Cape, we need all available policing resources focussed on keeping communities safer. Out of the Top 10 Murder Stations in South Africa, 6 of them are situated in our province. This is clearly seen in areas such as Delft and Mfuleni, where the murder rates increased respectively by 19% and 47% in the second quarter of last year. Furthermore, 9 of the Top 10 Drug-related Crime Stations are here in the Western Cape.
MPP Allen says: “Even though there are many factors which influence the levels of crime in a society, a lack of visible policing leaves our communities vulnerable. As we all know, the SAPS police-to-population ratio in our country, let alone our province, is critically inadequate. Which is why the Western Cape Government has deployed more than 1 000 boots on the ground to help our communities. With this dire situation in mind, it is completely unnecessary for the ANC-led government to take away available resources from crime fighting. While the Western Cape Government is taking safety seriously, National Government is diverting essential resources.”
Once again, the ANC has shown that Pretoria is completely out of touch with the realities many residents have to endure on a daily basis and that their short-term politicking will only cause more harm to communities in need.
Everything You Need to Know About Brand Activations