Cabinet calls for collective efforts to make public spaces safe

This includes the recently held National Summit on Crime and Violence Prevention.

Cabinet has called on all sectors, communities and law-enforcement agencies, to work together, to ensure that schools and public spaces are safe and secure.

Addressing a post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday in Tshwane, Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane said Cabinet is deeply concerned about the level of violence in the country.

“Cabinet endorses the intervention by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to urgently engage on a comprehensive strategy to deal with various issues emanating from the recently released crime statistics,” Mokonyane said.

This includes the recently held National Summit on Crime and Violence Prevention. The summit developed a joint vision on safety as a collective responsibility.

It also provided a platform for key stakeholders and experts to engage in the effective implementation of the 2016 White Paper on Safety and Security across all sectors.

“The acts of violence that broke out in several parts of the country are unacceptable and go against our Constitution. Cabinet commends the South African Police Service for the swift responses in arresting those suspected of being involved in public violence and possession of suspected stolen goods,” the Minister said.

Broadcasting Digital Migration Programme

Households with analog television (TV) sets looking to buy new ones have been advised to choose those with an integrated digital tuner.

The Minister said Cabinet is satisfied with the progress being made in migrating the country from analog to digital.

“Households with an income above the threshold of R3 200 per month have an option of buying a new integrated digital TV set with the built-in Digital Terrestrial TV decoder, which is available through major retail outlets,” Mokonyane said.

On Thursday, the first transmitter in Senekal in the Free State will be switched off.

This is in line with the commitment agreed to with the International Telecommunication Union.

“A communication campaign is underway to ensure that all households are ready for the switch-off,” she said.

(With inputs from South African Government press release)