Gangsterism remains a societal problem with devastating consequences – Mashinini

The MEC for Police, Roads and Transport in the Free State, Sam Mashinini tabling the Departmental Budget Vote for 2019/2020 financial year: Picture Supplied

Bloemfontein: Tabling his department’s budget vote for 2019/2020 financial year, Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport Sam Mashinini says the Police alone, without the support of communities, will never win the fight against gangsterism and drugs.

Mashinini says his department, have since embarked on increased cooperation between SAPS and communities, as a way of fostering their long held believe that working together with communities can yield positive results.

As part of reducing drugs abuse and eliminating gangsterism in the schools throughout the province, Mashinini says they will take the search-and-seizure program at schools to curb drug abuse

“Abuse of alcohol coupled with peer pressure is always a major contributory factor to gangsterism.

In taking forward the search-and-seizure program at schools to curb drug abuse, we are particularly going to work with DESTEA; FSGLTA and Local Municipalities to engage with all the owners of liquor outlets situated near schools and churches as part of on-going endeavours to address the social ills besetting our communities.” Said Mashinini

Meanwhile Mashinini indicated that the total fiscal envelope of the department for 2019/2020 financial year is R2.888 Billion, which is an increase of 4.13%, compared to 2018/2019.

According to Mashinini, the equitable share allocation including own revenue is R1,257 Billion.

He says the provincial road maintenance grant increased by 3.1% amounting to R1.450 Billion.

While the conditional grant will be utilized to improve the road conditions in the Free State Province.

The MEC, also outlined that the public transport operations grant has increased by 5,6% to R278 Million.

However he says the revenue target for the 2019/2020 financial year increased from R790 Million to R812 Million.

He further announced that, so far the department has managed to reach R782 Million target that was set for 2018/2019, which is an equivalence of 99% of the set target.

Lebona Lekoena