President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised political leaders for calling for more frequent and productive engagement between political parties and the government on the country’s most pressing issues.
This comes after political parties urged the President to pay attention to and collaborate with political parties in dealing with security-related issues.
On Thursday, the President met with officials from political parties to discuss concerns voiced by political leaders about the country’s security situation and economic hardships impacting citizens.
The President was accompanied by the Minister of the Presidency, as well as the Ministers of Police, Justice, and Correctional Services, as well as the Ministers of Defense and Military Veterans.
The Presidency said in a statement that leaders of political parties represented in Parliament had requested a meeting with the President to discuss security in the country as a whole, the security apparatus, the findings of recent inquiries into security apparatus components, and the unrest that hit KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July 2021.
Community crime and lawlessness, kidnappings, rising tensions between South Africans and foreign nationals, and cross-border crime are all examples of this.
“The President welcomed suggestions by political parties on how to strengthen national efforts to combat crime, corruption and violence.
“The President urged political parties represented in Parliament to use their authority to support the national security apparatus in getting the resources and capacity they need,” the statement read.
Simultaneously, the President stated that Parliament must demand responsibility in order to ensure that security structures are led by the proper men and women with the necessary abilities and expertise.
The President has met with officials from political parties on a number of occasions in the last two years to discuss problems of national importance.
“The President welcomed today’s engagement with political leaders, given that the security and stability of the country, and the wellbeing of citizens, is a shared concern and responsibility.
“The President provided an overview of government’s responses to security challenges, including rebuilding the integrity and capability of law enforcement agencies, the operationalisation of the Border Management Agency and more effective implementation of immigration and labor laws,” the Presidency said.
Furthermore, the President has warned against equating migration with criminality.
The President recognized the breadth and scope of security concerns, including areas under siege by criminals and gangsters, as well as widespread violence against women and children.
“President Ramaphosa said the social and economic conditions in which South Africans lived are at the core of the crime problem in the country, alongside criminal elements keeping communities in fear.