On Wednesday 17 May, Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde and the Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, addressed the 17 Peace Officers (PO’s) who graduated in Riversdale, in the Hessequa municipal area.
This brings the number of PO’s that graduated from the PO-programme this week to 40. The Hessequa graduation comes on the back of Monday’s graduation, where 23 PO’s officially graduated in the Mossel Bay and George municipal areas.
Premier Winde and Minister Allen were joined by the Hessequa Executive Mayor, Councillor Grant Riddles and the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Services Councillor (Cllr) Gerald Boezak. Earlier in the week in Mossel Bay, Executive Mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotze and the MMC for Community Safety, Cllr Leon van Dyk joined the proceedings, while in George, the Executive Mayor, Alderman Leon Van Wyk, and the Garden Route District Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen formed part of the graduation ceremony.
Premier Winde said: “I am extremely proud of these young men and women who stepped up when a call was made to join us in combatting crime. This shows leadership. They are now part of team Western Cape safety. This is the embodiment of our Western Cape Safety Plan. They have joined the bigger pool of drivers that are steering us towards a safer Western Cape. I wish them all the best as they embark on their new journey.”
This PO-programme forms part of the Western Cape Safety Plan (WCSP), which prioritises the strengthening of Municipal Law Enforcement capacity across the Western Cape, particularly to enhance urban/rural safety and combat crime within communities. More than R 2,2 million is being invested in these officers across the three municipal areas this year.
Minister Reagen Allen stated: “I commend these young people. As the Western Cape Government, we will continue to add to the various safety layers that we are introducing across the entire province. As our aim is to reduce the murder rate by 50% by 2029, I encourage all communities across the Western Cape to work with us, SAPS, law enforcement, neighbourhood watches (NHW’s), Community Policing Forums (CPF’s) and any other law-abiding stakeholders. Let us ensure our streets, areas and communities are safer for all of us to enjoy.”
The officers were trained between 27 March and 12 May 2023 at the Bnei Akiva campsite in Mossel Bay. The training provided individuals with the capability to demonstrate and understand the role and function of a Peace Officer and Traffic Warden. The following criteria was covered:
• Law Enforcement and the Constitution;
• The Constitution of South Africa 108 of 1995;
• Principles of criminal law and rules of interpretation of law;
• Outline of the law of criminal procedure;
• Legislation and the national road traffic act pertaining to traffic wardens;
• Schedule 1 and 3 offences;
• Law of Evidence and Criminal courts;
• Practical: 56 & 341 administrative notices;
• Adherence to professional conduct and organisational ethics.
Along with the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) Certificate, graduates also received a 12-month Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) contract/internship within the respective municipality.
“I extend my best wishes to our PO’s. All parents and society at large have a huge role to play in supporting these officers. By uniting our efforts, we will be able to overcome crime,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.
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