Cape Town – Law enforcement agencies are well-prepared to deal with any potential threats to state security, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said on Wednesday.

Responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Motlanthe said President Jacob Zuma and his Cabinet were kept appraised of all security matters.

“Government is satisfied that the security agencies are well-equipped to deal with any matters that concern the security of our country, including border security, illicit trade, cyber security and terrorism threats.”

He said the government was constantly training security managers to deal with potential threats to national security.

“An integral part of the management and maintenance of any security system is the need to ensure that those charged with the upholding of such security protocols are individuals with the highest integrity,” Motlanthe said.

He conceded no country could remain threat free.

“The state of security in any country is never static. Our country is no different.”

When asked why crime remained prevalent, despite a high police-to-population ratio, Motlanthe could not give a direct answer.

“I would not know the reason for it because those who commit crimes do not ask for permission from government… However, I believe most of the crimes of rape and so on happen in residential areas, so our task and challenge is finding the most efficient ways of securing residential areas, as well as the public spaces.”

– SAPA