MEDIA ALERT

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr. Bheki Cele will present his budget speech for the financial year 2006/07 at the KwaZulu-Natal legislature on Monday 24 April 2006 at 9am.

In his budget speech MEC Cele is expected to give a report on the achievements and progress of both departments in working towards ‘defending the weak’ in the past financial year and furthermore outline challenges ahead that are facing departments particularly budget constraints.

MEC Cele will also detail this year’s programme of expenditure and highlight areas of importance, bearing in mind the government’s vision of creating wealth and fighting poverty towards accelerated growth and development. Among other dignitaries Cele’s budget presentation will be graced by the presence of Limpopo MEC for Roads and Transport Mr. Stan Motimele.

Cele hit the headlines last year when he confidently made an announcement and said “The time for police and traffic officers to compromise their safety is over, in as much as they are responsible for community safety, their safety also remains a priority. If they sense danger they must defend themselves”.

Among other aspects Cele’s speech will include the following:

ON TRANSPORT

• Road Infrastructure
• Labour Intensive Programme (Zibambele & Vukuzakhe)
• Taxi Recapitalization Programme
• Build-up to 2010 World Cup
• Road Access/ Maintenance & Construction of Pedestrian Bridges
• Traffic Management
• Community Based Programme

ON COMMUNITY SAFETY AND LIAISON

• Firearms control
• Development of crime prevention strategies
• Transformation of the SAPS
• Commission of Inquiry
• Community Liaison
• Development of an Anti- Drug strategy
• Partnership for safer communities

“The synergy between the two departments is indeed creating hope for the weak” Cele said. In the evening MEC Cele will host a cocktail session for the members of Parliament, dignitaries and members of the media at the Pietermatizburg City Hall at 18h30 pm.
 

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