Media Release by Daylin Mitchell Western Cape Minister of Mobility
I am disappointed in Minister Cele’s yet another stats talk show while we need decisive action to address crime.
We need less talk and more meaningful interventions to address the very worrying increase in criminal acts of extortion, racketeering and murder, targeting public transport operators in the Western Cape and other provinces.
In June, Premier Alan Winde wrote to President Ramaphosa to request an urgent meeting and a coordinated intervention at national level to combat extortion and racketeering in the public transport sector.
The President referred the matter to the security cluster Ministers but we have never heard a word from the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, who was tasked with this crucial and urgent engagement.
It is disappointing to see Minister Cele reporting on registered statistics on public transport attacks and arrests today, while he was missing in action when we needed his intervention.
Where was Minister Cele when bus drivers were shot and killed by criminals? Where was Minister Cele when buses were torched and passengers injured? Where was Minister Cele when we asked for police deployment and escort to protect operators and commuters? The person tasked by the President to urgently engage and coordinate an intervention at a national level has been missing in action.
While we are grateful for the work done by SAPS and other law enforcement agencies, which saw 16 people being arrested and charged, we need a much more solid coordinated effort to ensure successful prosecutions and prevent further attacks and extortion. I do not share the Ministry of Police’s sense of comfort over the measures currently in place. We need meaningful crime intelligence and coordinated interventions across South Africa.
In the Western Cape our Provincial Traffic will continue to support SAPS and monitor long distance bus operations, and be on the lookout for any vehicles that illegally stop and extort buses and other private vehicles along the key routes between the Western Cape and neighbouring provinces.
The Western Cape Government does not condone criminal acts of extortion and will not feel comfort until the rule of law is restored.
The safety of commuters, stakeholders in the transport space and the citizens will always be my top priority.
Media Queries:
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026
Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za