Tuesday, October 13, 2009

What is your strategy, Mr Cele?

Dear Editor [Cape Times]

On Monday, 3rd August 2009, newly appointed National Commissioner of Police, Mr Bheki Cele stated that as any CEO of a company would have, he has a strategic plan for fighting crime. When asked what his strategic plan was for empowering the members of the re-introduced FCS Units [Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units]he commented that he would like to ensure that “a woman must be able to walk from a club or anywhere safely without being attacked”.

The problem, Commissioner Cele, is that for a long time now, women aren’t able to walk safely without the fear of being attacked.
And even more so, the children in our communities are being abducted, raped and murdered. We are yet to hear President Zuma’s comment on this or even his possible plan to abate this.

This nation is tired of politicians politicking. I understand that you are not a politician, but you have power in your hands and you can make a difference in communities where child sexual abuse is rife. You have the power to implement strategies and not just talk about them. You are in a position to empower victim empowerment groups and FCS Units to work with communities who are in a war with child sexual abuse. You are in a position to change this epidemic of our precious children being abducted, raped and murdered.

Please could you let us know, precisely what your strategy is in ensuring that FCS Units are empowered and that the right people who are qualified to handle the job are employed? Could you ensure that communities have access to information about crimes in their area? That communities have access to a police force who themselves are empowered by way of having correct information and resources to handle their own stress of the demands of their jobs without stigma?
The Victims’ Service Charted is great on paper – but we as citizens of this country want to see it working. What is your strategy?

I along with the rest of the citizens whom you are to serve and protect, look forward to your comment.

Sincerely





Norah Papanicolaou

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