Mthethwa's take on the Bill is disappointing and strange
5 Jun 2012
The statement released by the National Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa on his opposition to the Western Cape Community Safety Bill is both disappointing and strange.
He maintains it is unconstitutional: The Constitution was carefully considered during the drafting of our Bill (see here - PDF) and we are confident that it is in line with both constitutional and legal principles. That is why it is so disappointing that the Minister is opposing this attempt to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the police in the Western Cape.
We are setting out to improve safety in our communities, not through taking any powers away from South African Police Service (SAPS), but through improving our own oversight mechanisms to serve as a catalyst for better policing, as outlined in the Constitution. Surely measures to make our communities safer should be supported, debated and introduced - not brushed aside before any meaningful engagement has taken place.
To date, the Minister has not provided me or my department with any detailed comment and so I find it strange for him to be making his position known via the media. I couriered copies of the Bill to the Minister on the day it was published on 16 February this year. I allowed more than double the usual public participation timeframe, and yet SAPS failed to provide any comment before the deadline on 15 May.