The DA in the Western Cape congratulates the Provincial Department of the Premier on achieving an unqualified audit opinion for the 2021/2022 financial year.
The annual report revealed that the Department achieved 100% of its targets in the previous financial period. This is an illustration of the Western Cape’s effective and capable governance. Additionally, the Auditor-General report revealed that the Department efficiently administered the provincial governance frameworks which enabled the administration of the province and ensured that the Provincial Government maintained its good governance standing in a manner that benefited citizens.
Member Christopher Fry says, “During the year under review, the Department also prioritised the proper implementation of the Western Cape Recovery Plan which seeks to drive economic recovery, job creation, and the implementation of the Safety Plan.
The Safety Plan intends to reduce the murder rate in the province by 50% over the next 10 years. This will be accomplished by placing more boots on the ground through the LEAP programme. To date, the Provincial Government has invested R712 million in the programme, and a further R400 million has been budgeted for the 2022/23 financial year.
Since the very first deployment in February 2020, LEAP officers made 8500 arrests, and had taken over 220 guns off the streets by August this year. As a result, the following was revealed through the Crime Stats release for the first quarter of 2022:
- Mitchells Plain – a 42,9% decline in murder
- Kraaifontein – a 16,4% decline in murder
- Khayelitsha – a 14,3% decline in murder, dropping out of the top 10 and now down to number 16.
- Harare – a 13,8% decline in murder
While there is still much work to be done as many communities remain endangered by gangsterism, drug abuse, and violent crime, the LEAP initiative is a significant advance in the right direction.
I am pleased to see the Department of the Premier is upholding its commitment to prioritising the needs of the people through clean, transparent and accessible governance.