August 30, 2004
By Thomas Thale
THE City of Johannesburg on Thursday adopted a bold, new City Safety Strategy, which opens the way for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) to share resources and undertake joint operations with the South African Police Services (SAPS) in co-ordinated crime-fighting activities.
The new strategy is premised on the Joburg 2030 economic development plan, which identifies rampant crime and skills shortage as major impediments to investment in the city. The safety strategy aims to combat crime which adversely affects investment.
Once implemented, the strategy will bring together the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, the Central Joburg Partnership, Inner City Business Forum, various city departments and entities and, of course, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) in a concerted effort to bring down crime levels in the city. The strategy anticipates that SAPS and JMPD personnel will be partnered to police "superzones" which cover areas where investment is planned.
The strategy was drawn up by the City's Economic Development Unit in conjunction with other role players, including the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police (JMPD), the South African Police Service (SAPS) and city entities.
The strategy identifies armed robbery as a major scare for investors and the most direct reason for the perception that living in Johannesburg carries a high crime risk.
As part of its action plan, the strategy envisages gun-free zones in parts of the city and surveillance patrols and CCTV monitors. The city will also prevail on cellphone companies to join in the fight against armed robbery by improving the blocking and tracing of calls. Liquor-related violent crime will also get special attention, with the council being "more pro-active in the liquor licensing process and having dedicated capacity".
The strategy - which involves four working groups, focussing on armed robbery, reclaiming the streets, the sharing of information and statistics and institutional arrangements - will also see strict enforcement of by-law legislation.
Sizakele Nkosi, the councillor responsible for Public Safety in the city, will be responsible for implementing the strategy and a team set up by the city's Economic Development Unit will oversee it.
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