Firoz Cachalia, MEC for Community Safety in Gauteng, addressing the marchers

RELATED LINKS: Orange Farm welcomes women-built houses CELEBRATINGthe 50th anniversary of the Women's March, women contractors are building 50 new houses for Orange Farm pensioners. Read more Council approves crime-busting strategy 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. Read more About JMPD THE prevalence of crime has constrained economic development, tourism and investment and has negatively affected the quality of life. Addressing crime is one of the City's clear priorities in its Joburg 2030 strategy. Read more

Women police marching against abuse

Female police march against abuse In a move reminiscent of the Women's March to the Union Buildings 50 years ago, women metro police officers marched through the streets of Joburg, pledging to protect women and children from marauding criminals. August 18, 2006 By Tabisa Mntengwana IN a show of force, female police from various units marched through the streets of Joburg, vowing to crack down on crimes committed against women and children. The day kicked off with a march from Beyers Naude Square at 9am, through Harrison, De Korte, Joubert and Loveday streets, heading to Constitution Hill in Braamfontein. The women in blue handed over two signed banners to the MEC of Community Safety, Firoz Cachalia at Constitution Hill, pledging to keep the city safe and crime-free. The signed banners bore the messages: "Women's safety starts with us" and "We will ensure a reduction in crime against women and children". Women police officers on the march The pledge is a joint venture involving metro officers from the City of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni Metro, Mogale City and Tshwane plus the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the Department of Community Safety. "The pledge is to support the vision that female metro officers have committed themselves to fighting crime and making Gauteng the safest province in the country," said Cachalia's spokesperson Phumla Sekhonyane. The feisty law enforcers also mounted four roadblocks on Thursday 17 August checking motorists for outstanding warrants and issuing fines for reckless driving. "The officers have pledged to make Gauteng a crime-free province and to enforce laws without fear of anyone," said Cachalia. Female officers prepare to march through Joburg "We are proud of women in South Africa today, more especially our female officers who strive to keep Gauteng safe in their commitment of enforcing laws," said Cachalia. The day ended with a march by metro police officers back to Beyers Naude Square, led by the metro police brass band, with metro police cars controlling the crowd. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za