By Doreen Mokgolo
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has ordered the newly appointed SAPS provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni, to fight crime by all available means to ensure the province is not a playground for criminals.
The provincial government is waging a war against taxi violence, drug dealing, illegal land invasions, corruption and illegal mining.
Delivering his State of the Province address on Thursday evening, Lesufi outlined the provincial government’s service delivery action plans and the vision and priorities of the seventh administration.
The red carpet event was held in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni.
Lesufi said fighting crime is the government’s top priority and commands urgent attention.
“We have donated 250 cars and over 400 visible police cars to the Gauteng SAPS to strengthen police stations so that police can respond quickly when our people need help.
“We have deployed three helicopters ready to fight crime across the province.
“We have also launched e-panic buttons that ordinary citizens can use to alert the police when needed,” he said.
Lesufi said the police and transport department were raising capacity to combat taxi violence.
A new force “dedicated to fighting fire with fire” against taxi inkabis and hooligans involved moving officials from the community safety department to roads and transport.
The province is also implementing anti-land invasion strategies to ensure no new informal settlements are established in Gauteng.
It has launched a new land invasion monitoring and inspection tool that uses advanced geospatial technologies and artificial intelligence to detect and monitor land invasions and illegal expansion in real-time.
The province is set to launch the new tech by next week.
Lesufi said the seventh administration will ensure that contracts are given to competent companies to fight corruption.
“We commit to crush corruption and favours that delayed the development of the province,” he added.
Pictured above: Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi.
Source: X
