WESTERN CAPE – Recently appointed Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Yolisa Matakata took up her post on Monday, 06 January 2020 in Cape Town. She kicked the day off with a meeting with SAPS Western Cape Provincial management and Community Policing Forum (CPF) representatives. The first meeting was followed by an introductory meeting where the Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale and National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole presented her to the Western Cape Premier, Mr Alan Winde and MEC for Community Safety, Mr Albert Fritz.
Addressing the media after the two engagements, Lt General Matakata outlined a new vision for policing in the Western Cape. She first expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed upon her to lead the Western Cape SAPS. Lt General Matakata undertook to work with all stakeholders developing mutually beneficial partnerships in an effort to ensure all communities are and feel safe.
High up on her list of priorities is the building of cohesion within the SAPS Western Cape management team thereby ensuring police are accountable and responsive to community needs. That in her view, will guarantee quality service delivery.
She acknowledged that policing the Western Cape Province is no mean feat hence it requires all hands on deck. With all role players on board, she and her management team are set on stamping the authority of the state.
During her tenure, the capacitation of police stations as the first line of defence in dealing with serious violent crimes will be intensified. In essence, human and physical resources will be distributed to where the needs are. Policing will also be supported by an effective detection service that will investigate and solve reported cases. In a bid to ensure all citizens of the Western Cape are and feel safe, an effective intelligence capacity will underpin all policing efforts.
I have been keeping an eye on the issue of crime in this Province, including crimes against women and children plaguing certain communities. It is on this basis we have come to the deduction that an aggressive response that involves all stakeholders, is required. Also, the main generators of serious violent crimes namely drugs, alcohol and illegal firearms, are what we will be focussing on, says Lt General Matakata.
In her view, boots on the ground are key in addressing crime, but dealing with socio economic-factors that impede policing initiatives remains crucial. As she sets out on her journey with the SAPS management to build safer communities in the Western Cape, she appealed for support and commitment from all stakeholders.
Source: South African Police Service