Tag Archives: Safety and Liaison

Young people urged to fight against scourge of drug and alcohol abuse

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Picture: Young people dialogue/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

19 November 2025- The Members attached to Galeshewe Social Crime Prevention together with the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, jointly hosted the Prevention of Violence Against Youth Dialogue on 19 November 2025 in Galeshewe Township, near Kimberley. The engagement brought together stakeholders from the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Galeshewe Community Policing Forum, Galeshewe Safety Participants, Spiritual Crime prevention including Non-Profit Organisation such as the Soldiers of the Cross, Lightden Rehab Centre, Fathers and Sons and GM Sentletse foundation.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the main objective of the event was to mobilize the youth in the fight against crime in the province from grassroots level to provincial level and aiming to ensure that the youth participate in youth development initiatives. Shemane said the participants were divided into three groups to engage, debate and come up with solutions on how to address the scourge of drug abuse, alcohol abuse and physical and emotional abuse in their communities to prevent violence against the youth, women, children and vulnerable groups.

“In the closing remarks, Galeshewe CPF treasurer thanked all the stakeholders and participants in taking action in the fight against crime. He assured that the CPF will continue to strive for the development of the youth,” he said.

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Police in Northern Cape held Easter Prayer Day in Kimberley  

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Picture: Police in Northern Cape hosting Easter Prayer Day/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

10 April 2025- The Northern Cape Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Corporate Services, Major General, Dr Thabo Mphuthi, accompanied by the Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Limakatso Koloi and the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality councillor, Jahn Pietesen, led the Provincial Easter Prayer Day Service held at the CRC Church in Kimberley today.

The event was attended by representatives from various government departments, including Correctional Services, South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Traffic Department, and senior officers and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), who gathered in unity to observe this sacred period through worship and spiritual reflection.

The SAPS Provincial Band inspired the congregation with uplifting music, while devotions and messages were delivered by SAPS Chaplains under the leadership of Colonel IJ Pudule. Religious leaders from multiple faith-based organizations also participated, delivering powerful reflections on the Seven Utterances of the Cross, enriching the spiritual significance of the day.

In her address, Mphuthi acknowledged and appreciated the prayers offered for the protection as they confront the inherent dangers of the profession.

“This service stands as a powerful testament to the enduring strength of faith, centred around the theme: “The Power of the Cross.” In the midst of challenges, it is essential that we safeguard our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

“As we remain committed to delivering a professional and dedicated service, let us also strive to build bridges of hope and trust within the communities we serve,” she said.

During her keynote address, Koloi emphasized the importance of reflecting on the true meaning of Easter. She urged communities to celebrate responsibly and to prioritize safety at all times.

“We reaffirm the commitment of the government and law enforcement agencies to ensuring the safety and security of all communities and visitors to the province. We also commend the law enforcement officials for their exemplary service in maintaining public safety and order.

“The government will apply a zero-tolerance stance on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), particularly during this period. We call on men to take a collective stand against such heinous acts and to promote a culture of respect and accountability,” she said.

Meanwhile, the SANDF Commanding Officer, Colonel B Motlhabakwe, delivered the vote of thanks, and the prayer service concluded with benediction.

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16 new Provincial Traffic Inspectors welcomed

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Picture: 16 new Provincial Traffic Inspectors welcomed/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

9 January 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for COGHSTA and Transport, Safety and Liaison, Bentley Vass, has today welcomed a total of 16 new Provincial Traffic Inspectors to bolster road traffic law enforcement in the province. Vass said this followed a decision by the Northern Cape Provincial Government (NCPG) to recruit a total of 50 traffic trainees in 2024.

He further said these trainees were enrolled at the Matjhabeng Traffic Training Academy in Welkom, Free State Province to be trained, graduate and pass-out for the Certificate in Road Traffic Law Enforcement (NQF Level 4).

“We congratulate the new cohort of Provincial Traffic Inspectors, who successfully completed the qualification that comprised a total of 20 unit standards and encouraged them to work hard and be exemplary professionals.

“We are happy to have an additional 16 Provincial Traffic Inspectors on our roads to help us maintain law and order for all modes of transport by providing quality traffic policing services, as stipulated by the relevant legislation,” said Vass.

He added that by the beginning of March 2025, after an open recruitment process, an additional 25 new Provincial Traffic Inspectors, will be appointed by the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, to bolster the human resource capacity of the Provincial Traffic Inspectorate. Vass said 32 trainees who could not pass all their unit standards in 2024, will still have to successfully participate in the remedial programme and Final Integrated Summative Assessment (FISA) for them to conclude the training programme, in the first half of this year.

“Valuable lessons were learnt from this pilot project and wished for the trainees who have returned to the training academy in Welkom, as well as those embarking on the remedial programme.

“The Provincial Traffic Inspectors will be deployed to a total of 10 traffic stations throughout the province and will commence their duties on 13 January 2025,” he said.

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NCPG intensifies Safer Festive Season Operations  

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Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement, Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Transport, Safety and Liaison, Bentley Vass during operation/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

25 December 2024- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement, Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Transport, Safety and Liaison, Bentley Vass, led the safer festive season operations at a roadblock on the N12 Weighbridge in Kimberley on 24 December 2024.

Vass said similar operations including static roadblocks were executed across the other four districts of the province to intensify crime fighting efforts and ensure safer roads and less accidents and fatalities.

“A total of 1954 vehicles were stopped and searched, 3924 persons searched and a total of 114 traffic violations were issued across the operations. We encourage law enforcement officers to fight crime and criminality, to protect law abiding citizens.

“We wish the officials well as they execute various safer festive season operations throughout the Northern Cape,” he said.

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Safer Festive Season campaign in full swing in Northern Cape

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Picture: Safer Festive Season campaign underway/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

18 December 2024- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement, Traditional Affairs, Transport, Safety and Liaison, Bentley Vass, led a multi-disciplinary road block with the Provincial Traffic Department and the South African Police Service (SAPS) on the R27 road linking Calvinia and Niewoudtville on Tuesday.

A total of 158 vehicles were stopped, searched and inspected for roadworthiness and several fines were issued.

Vass said as the province intensifies its law enforcement campaign for a safer festive season and safer roads, to reduce fatalities, they will continue to call on all road users to obey the rules of the road and to buckle up. He said they should avoid speeding or drinking and driving, as part of the key principles to ensure safer roads across the province.

“Similar roadblocks and safety campaigns will be rolled out across the province,” said Vass.

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Police conduct capacity building sessions

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Picture: Some of delegates during capacity-building sessions/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE

12 September 2024- The SAPS Division for Visible Policing and Policing is currently conducting a capacity building at SAPS Gymnasium in Kimberley. A two-day session focusing on vulnerable groups and victim empowerment environments at the Kimberley SAPS Gymnasium.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said the workshop will also focus on mental health care, sexual related matters, the prevention and combating of trafficking in persons. Kock further said the work session is scheduled for 11-12 September 2024, and is attended by Northern Cape Provincial SAPS officials, SAPS officials of all five Districts, District Social Crime Co-ordinators and Human Resource Development, Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, the Family Violence, Child Protection, Sexual offences unit members and Station members.

“The day commenced with a devotion and a welcoming address by the Provincial Head for Proactive Policing, Brigadier Irene Kopeledi. The Provincial Commander for Crime Prevention, Colonel Maggie Ndzutha, introduced the panel and workshop attendees.

“Lieutenant Col Johanna Molefi from SAPS Division: Visible Policing and Operations focused on Child Offenders and Children at risk. She also outlined the purpose of the day and Implementation of the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 and Children’s Act 38 of 2005,” he said.

Kock added that Colonel Tsholo Selepe of SAPS Division: Visible Policing and Operations, dealt with sexual offenders and the trafficking in persons and the importance of daily operations of having a Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Desk at police stations. He said Selepe touched on capacity-building envisaging to enhance knowledge on the SAPS National Instruction and Standing Operational Procedures and regulative prescripts aligned to GBVF.

“Colonel Samuel Lekganyane, who is responsible for Victim Empowerment and persons with special needs relayed information bordering on protection of vulnerable groups such as victim witnesses, older persons, disabled, LGBTIQ+ and the programs relating to these groups.

“He also enlightened the attendees of the implementation of the victim friendly services and centres. The session will officially conclude on 12 September 2024,” said Kock.

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Community members encouraged to join CPFs

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Picture: Community members attending community engagement/Suppliee

By BAKANG MOKOTO

29 August 2024- The Northern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Transport, Safety and Liaison, MEC Bentley Vass, together with the acting Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, hosted a community engagement at the Kagung Community Hall in Mothibistad on 28 August 2024.

The engagement was attended by relevant heads and representatives of entities, including Commissioner, Subashni Moodley, the Regional Commissioner for Correctional Services in the Free State and Northern Cape, SAPS District Commissioners and Provincial Heads, Advocate Mpho Tau from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the chairperson of District Community Policing Forum, Tebogo Kedithibetse.

Vass said the focus of the engagement was to encourage stronger relationships between the community and law enforcement in order to address challenges faced by the police and the community alike. He further said this platform created an opportunity to regain the trust of the community in the police and the modelling of a dialogue between SAPS and relevant government departments.

“We need to promote the fostering of solidarity within the community to instil an overall sense of security. The community structures play a vital role and we encourage communities to join community structures and neighbourhood watch sectors.

“Crime against children remains a priority and swift action must be taken. A zero tolerance approach must be followed towards Gender-Based Violence (GBV) related offences. The community members were afforded the opportunity to voice concerns and share information with the panel of guests, who provided responses accordingly,” added Vass.

Ngubelanga furnished remarks and emphasized the importance of sound partnerships. He encouraged the community to reclaim their streets and not be afraid of criminals.

“We need to highlight the danger of substance and alcohol abuse as they are the generators of crime. So, we urge the community to utilise the services offered by the SAPS Inspectorate component, when lodging complaints relating to services delivered by SAPS.

Meanwhile, Kedithibese said: “The community engagements will continue to be conducted throughout the district to address concerns and strengthen partnerships.”

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Road Safety Education Intensified To Curb Carnage

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
In an effort to curb road fatalities, the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison is joining the rest of the country in intensifying road safety education by involving schools with duo Road Safety Competitions in Upington.  

The province will be hosting the Provincial Road Safety debate and Participatory Educational Technique (PET) competitions. 

The Acting Head of Department, Lesego Wolfe said that the annually competition is stimulating as the youth get an opportunity to get into robust debates and demonstrate their creativity in relations to challenges and solutions around Road Safety. 

“This is relevant seeing that the country has committed into curbing road fatalities by half, come 2020, as part of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 aimed at stabilizing and reducing global road deaths by 2020,” Wolfe said.

“The Road Safety Debate will see learners from across the province actively debating Road Safety issues while the PET competition allow learners an opportunity to research and identify road traffic safety problems in their community and find solutions to the problems. 

“They get an opportunity to demonstrate their research by building models reflecting the challenges and solutions and make presentations on them,” Wolfe further elaborated. 

The annual competitions give a platform of expression to grade 10 and 11 learners from across the province.
 
The competitions start with regional competition with winners proceeding to the provincial leg and provincial winners proceeding to National competition to represent the province later in October.
 
The main objectives of the Debates and PET Competition are to:
∙Empower learners with road safety knowledge by undertaking research on road safety topics.

∙Enhance learner’s public speaking, critical and analytical thinking skills as they respond to points of information (Point of Information (POI)).

∙Encourage learners to work as a team and also define their roles as a collective.

∙Improves listening skills of learners especially in the rebuttal phase of the competition.

∙Encourage learners to become responsible road users as future adults.

∙Inculcates accountability, versatility and discipline in learners. 

The Road Safety debate and PET will be held on Saturday in Upington on the 19th September 2015.
-TDN
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