7th administration SOPA: 'Fighting crime is our apex priority' - Lesufi

JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the provincial government is hellbent on fighting crime.

Delivering his State of the Province Address under a Government of Provincial Unity, in Katlehong, on Thursday, he cited residents are fearful at home, at work, and at places of pleasure

“People of Gauteng, crime is ravaging us. People of Gauteng, we are even scared of our own shadows.  People of Gauteng, our own houses have turned into prisons.

“We can’t even go out to enjoy our parks. We can’t even go to enjoy a movie at night because we are scared of criminals.”

He added that crime and corruption need attention in the province.

“Fighting crime is our apex priority,” he said adding that any form of “lawlessness” would be rooted out.

Lesufi said the Gauteng government has made 250 new vehicles available to the South African Police Service for police stations to respond quickly to crime scenes.

“We have deployed over 400 visible policing cars…today we’ve got three helicopters that are ready to combat crime in our province.”

He added that an e-panic button has been launched.

“A physical button has bow been distributed to 30,000 citizens,” he said adding that it could grab the attention of law enforcement officers within minutes.

LESUFI ON E-TOLLS

Lesufi has given the 6th administration a proverbial tap on the shoulder for scrapping e-tolls, following years of public rejection.

He assured Gauteng residents that his government would strengthen efforts to improve their lives during the next five years.

"Last time we met like this, load shedding was a headache, but that headache is now gone for this we want to thank our President Cyril Ramaphosa and our Minister of Electricity, our homeboy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and the entire team of Eskom."