Vote of thanks for passing out parade for LEAP

As we conclude today, I want to recognise and thank the various partners who have played their part in transforming the Western Cape Safety Plan from a vision into a reality. Indeed, the Safety Plan would not be possible without the support and buy-in of numerous partners.  

I wish to acknowledge Premier Alan Winde, Mayor Dan Plato, Alderman JP Smith, Director General Harry Malila and Director Robby Robberts who have worked transversely with my own Department in ensuring the appointment and deployment of the 500 Learner Law Enforcement Officers standing before me. I thank you for your leadership and support.

I also want to thank the Provincial and City Officials and all other partners who are working tirelessly to get all the processes in place to ensure that we succeed in reducing the horrific murder rate in this Province.

I further want to thank the Learner Law Enforcement Officers standing before me. Yours will not be an easy task. You will be deployed into some of the most socio-economically deprived and dangerous communities in our province. You will be challenged in every conceivable way and there will be those who wish to see you fail in your most important duty.

However, I am assured that you are the cream of the crop and that you will be guided by your principles and values in everything you do.  Your conviction for making a change in your communities, province and country will determine whether crime remains unchanged or whether we take back our communities. It is important that we succeed in our fight against crime and lawlessness wherever and however it presents itself.

I salute your courage and commitment to making a difference. Remember, your every action will be open to scrutiny and there are those that will do whatever they can to sow division and dishearten you. Therefore, you must act at all times within the confines of the law and put the interests of the people first.

A critically important part of the Safety Plan is to tackle the horrifically high murder rate. This is important because murder is the issue that most of all makes the people of this Province feel unsafe.  By focusing on the murder rate, we will at the same time address all the other elements of violent crime and criminality. Most of all, address the massive challenge of gender-based-violence, violence against women and children and all other forms of interpersonal violence.

It is important to note that while your role will be that of a law enforcement officer; you will also be working on the ground with all other partners in addressing the root causes of violence in the communities where you are deployed. While you will answer and report to your operational officers and seniors; you will also be required to work with other partners to make our communities safer for all our people.

On that note, please can we give a round of applause to the Learner Law Enforcement Officers and partners who have made the implementation of the Western Cape Safety Plan a reality.