Premier Ramathuba rolls-out Festive Season safety plans

LEBOWAKGOMO

The Premier of Limpopo Province, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, has on Sunday 27 October, led the launching of ‘Operations Safer Festive Season’, which was held at Lebowakgomo Sports Ground in Lebowakgomo Zone R.

Ramathuba was joined by the Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe and the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye.

Outlining Safer Festive Season plans, Premier Ramathuba condemned the rampant of corruption within the ranks of SAPS.

“We want to assure criminals who are hiding their skin within our organization, that their days are numbered. We are going to clean anything that is not part of us. This week alone, we arrested two corrupt police officers, specifically at the Lebowakgomo police station and another one in Mokopane,” she said.

Ramathuba said the Anti-Corruption Unit and the Hawks will ensure that criminals operating with the badge are permanently removed within government spaces.

“As the police in Limpopo, we are ready for the festive season and anything that comes our way, we will definitely tackle it with confidence,” she said.

The premier indicated that Gender Based Violence and Fermicide (GBVF) remains their priority and will make sure women and children in the province are feeling safe.

“We have also noticed that extortion is rearing its ugly head, I can assure you that we have plans in place to eliminate its roots. We are certain that with the support from our sister departments, the Traditional Authorities, CPF and other stakeholders, we are going to face any situation fearlessly this festive season,” she said.

Ramathuba informed that the management of the police are enhancing police response by adding 65 vehicles this festive season to deal with crime.

She appreciated everyone’s presence and praised the attendance of women in leadership positions especially within the ranks of the police.

“To our men and women in blue, do not smile with criminals. They are not your friends. Make sure you deal with them decisively and protect your precious life and of those around you,” she said.

Ramathuba cautioned investors to avoid going to a crime vested area, adding that they should firstly check the safety of the place before bringing their businesses.

“In our province, let us work together to prevent and stop criminals in their tracks. These criminals are within our communities, and we know them, as communities, we have a big role to play in exposing these criminals so that we can live harmoniously in our province,” she said.

The premier urged police officials to respect their uniform, stating that it carries a lot of weight, more that they can ever imagine.

“Know your mandate, your code of conduct by heart, and so that it can always talk to you. She further said that “In Limpopo, we give resources, what you are seeing today, is just an introduction, expect more, a new Sheriff is in the house,” informed Ramathuba.

She concluded by stating that the province had handed-over sixty-five vehicles to SAPS members for various activities including simulations that took place to showcase the readiness of law enforcement agencies in the province as a show of strength.

The multi-disciplinary operations launch was also supported by the Divisional Commissioner, Visible Policing and Operations, Lieutenant General Maropeng Mamothethi, the traditional authorities, municipalities, government institutions, security cluster, deputy provincial commissioners, district commissioners, senior officers including station commanders and all stakeholders with an interest on safety.