Besides campaigning for the upcoming elections, the minister answered several questions posed by concerned residents.
In Sedgefield, Plato expressed his concern about the enormous problem of substance abuse in the Western Cape. He referred to the recently released Western Cape crime figures indicating that substance abuse contributed to a large percentage of rapes and murders in the province
Plato further touched upon the importance of education, saying that the youth no longer had the excuse of not being given opportunities. "The government provides opportunities such as Chrysalis and Northlink College," he said, referring to students present at the Sedgefield meeting who graduated from Chrysalis and planned to further their studies. "We provide youngsters with opportunities. If your mom can't pay for you to study, the government will pay for your tuition." According to Plato, the Further Education and Training (FET) colleges will accept any child from the age of 14 with at least a Grade 9 pass. "If you can't fit into the school mould we will send you to study at a FET college. No youngster needs to sit at home. We will provide education for them."
Referring to the increasing crime in both Knysna and Sedgefield, Plato said his department were considering the possibility of placing safety caravans in crime hotspots. In agreement with Louise Hart, Knysna Ward 2 councillor, Plato said, "There is a lack of visible policing and too few police patrol vans." He added, "These safety caravans are manned by security personel who would have immediate access to a telephone as well as a radio linked to members of the police and their vehicles." Not only would this caravan improve response time, but it also becomes a job creation initiative. "The youths from FET colleges could be used for six months to a year as interns in these caravans," he said. Responding to Hart's question whether such a caravan could be placed in Karatara, Plato said, "The caravan has wheels - cart the caravan to where you most need it."
Plato further touched on the issue of foreigners working in the area, often using forged documents. Ward 1 councillor, Irene Grootboom referred to a previous meeting, with Mmeli Coko, acting head of Immigration in the Southern Cape in Sedgefield, where it was alleged that 99% of Malawians living and working in Sedgefield were in possession of illegal work permits. Grootboom wanted to know from Plato why only Malawians were being targeted and not other foreigners.
Grootboom stressed that she was fearing xenophobic attacks unless the problem was dealt with soon.
"I would like to 'klap' (smack) the National Government for allowing foreigners into our country illegally," said Plato. He added that South Africans rent their RDP houses to these foreigners and live in backyard shacks themselves. "When the paw-paw hits the fan they expect the government to protect them and provide a solution to the problem."
Plato referred to Apartheid years when many ANC members lived in exile in African countries. "Perhaps the ANC feels obliged to allow foreign nationals into our country illegally," he said. He added that there were too many corrupt government officials who were issuing the foreign nationals with forged work permits for large amounts of cash.
Plato reminded councillors to refer questions not related to his portfolio to the provincial government and to report back to the community. He endeavoured to give a report on the meeting and community's concerns to Western Cape premier, Helen Zille.
Western Cape Community Safety Minister Dan Plato addressed the Smutville community on Wednesday, April 2. From left are Plato, Cathy Weideman, Tumi Liwani and Rodney Ney. Photo: Fran Kirsten.
ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN
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