SPEECH (NOTES) BY KWAZULU-NATAL MEC FOR TRANSPORT, COMMUNITY SAFETY
AND LIAISON, MR BHEKI CELE, AT THE CHATSWORTH SAPS TRAINING CENTRE
30 November 2004
All Protocol Observed
Since becoming a democracy, South Africa has adopted the principles of
accountability, transparency and accessibility.
Civilian oversight of the police is one of the measures which the
Constitution dictates to promote transformation and it is one of the key
areas of policy change in the safety and security environment.
During my budget speech delivered to the provincial legislature on 26th
July, I made specific mention of the fact that a target has been set by
the Department of Public Service and Administration to have all
government structures apply a 30% equity target in terms of the
representation of women in government.
At that stage, female representation in the SAPS KwaZulu-Natal was as
follows:
RANK: Deputy Commissioner
FEMALE: 0
MALE: 5
RANK: Assistant Commissioner
FEMALE: 1
MALE: 11
RANK: Snr Superintendent
FEMALE: 12
MALE: 96
RANK: Superintendent
FEMALE: 101
MALE: 426
RANK: Captain
FEMALE: 343
MALE: 1166
It is clear that women are not equitably represented in management and
this situation has to change.
I have since been in constant talks with SAPS management to have
oversight on all personnel appointments made in the province so as to
monitor the implementation of national targets for gender
representivity.
As many of you are aware, since my appointment I have made several calls
at various public platforms for more female representation in senior
management positions, both in the SAPS and the Department of Transport.
Today I am proud to observe that there is indeed some progress in this
direction.
It gives me great pleasure to announce that of the approximately 291
promotion posts to Captain, Superintendent and Senior Superintendent
that become effective as from tomorrow, 136 (47%) are females.
Therefore, as of tomorrow, of a total of 2 372 posts ranging from
Captain to Senior Superintendent in KwaZulu-Natal, 581 (24%) will be
females.
This effectively means that since July 2004 we have moved from
approximately 21, 3% female representation to approximately 24% female
representation, in the above-mentioned ranks.
I am sure that you will agree that we still have a long way to go, but
progress is noted.
I also wish to take this opportunity to inform you that the name of the
Department of Safety and Security has been changed to, Department of
Community Safety and Liaison. Hence my portfolio is that of Transport,
Community Safety and Liaison.
Finally, as we head into the festive season I would like to urge each
and every one of you to be role models to the public you serve, and
uphold all the laws of our country.
Make a concerted effort to save a life this festive season.
In conclusion, I want to personally thank all members of the SAPS for
their hard work and dedication in 2004. Let us all commit to strive to
do better in 2005.
Have a safe and joyful Christmas.
I thank you.
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