The Deputy Minister of State Security, Zizi Kodwa, and the Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura, have vowed to strengthen connections and working relationships between their two bodies in order to combat challenges and hazards to the stability of the province.
Friday, when the two leaders met in Johannesburg for a meeting attended by numerous Gauteng government MECs, Mayors, and Members of Mayoral Councils from different Districts and Local Municipalities, the promise was made.
State Security and the Premier’s Office said in a joint statement that the meeting was held in an attempt to bolster security in the province and to react proactively.
The Deputy Minister said that the State Security Agency takes the need to better coordination of intelligence information across the services and build relationships between these agencies and provincial and local government leadership very seriously.
“We are glad that the stakeholders have responded positively to the call for better coordination and information sharing and as the Agency we are more than determined to ensure that this constant interaction and working together is maintained to avoid the negative experience of July,” he said.
In addition to praising the effort, Makhura urged the province’s stakeholders to continue working together to address the challenges they are facing.
“I am glad that the agency has initiated this program because more than ever before, we need the law enforcement agencies and government to work together to confront the challenges that threaten the stability of the Province,” said Premier Makhura.
He stated that mayors’ involvement was particularly crucial in this endeavour since they are at the forefront of service delivery.
He said that the agency and other law enforcement authorities must collaborate closely with local mayors to map the concerns and degree of danger in different communities so that the government can react more effectively.
The proliferation of illegal immigrants in the province, the challenge of unused mines which attracted illegal mining activities, illicit drug trafficking, violent crime and extortion, and the failure of municipalities to enforce bylaws were identified as potential triggers and threats to the province’s stability.
The Deputy Minister and the Premier said that a concerted effort by all levels of government to address these concerns would go a long way toward preventing recurrences.
“We do not have the luxury to rest in our laurels, we must strengthen collaboration and address these collectively for the sake of people of South Africa and the stability of the province and the country as a whole,” they said.