Newsletter2016MAY25b

NEWS

UPDATE

First Quarter 2016
PAGE 1

Above: MEC, Hon. Butana Komphela. The MEC of Police, Roads and Transport Hon. Butana Komphela together with the
Provincial Commissioner Lt.-Gen. Thabethe Mpembe, recently announced that the
Below: MEC Komphela addressing the Free State was the safest province in the country as it recorded the highest
media and stakeholders during a media decreased in crime.

conference where the crime statistics The Province has topped the list of safest provinces where contact crimes like
were announced. He is flanked by the murder, attempted murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GHB)
amongst others have dropped.
Provincial Police Commissioner,
Lt.-Gen. Thabethe Mpembe, and other The Hon. MEC says the Province’s municipalities need to play a vital role in
supporting policing efforts. With regards to matters relating to contact crimes, we
managers in law enforcement and cannot emphasize enough the importance of enforcing by-laws and others, e.g. laws
correctional services. relating to road traffic infringements, confiscation of firearms and other dangerous
weapons, to collectively address and root out crime.

“We pride ourselves in that we fight crime in the street and not in the boardroom.
Criminals cannot expect any leniency from our law enforcement officers as we as a
province want and will stay in the top spot as safest province in South Africa,” says
MEC Komphela.

* See Page 2 for a comparison of the 2013/4 and 2014/15 crime statistics for the
Free State Province.

NEWS

UPDATE

First Quarter 2016
PAGE 2

CRIME STATISTICS IN THE FREE STATE PROVINCE April 2013 April 2014 Case Difference % Change
CRIME CATEGORY to to

CONTACT CRIMES ( CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON) March 2014 March 2015
Murder
Attempted murder 942 943 1 0.1%
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm 906 816 -90 -9.9%
Common assault 14465 13458 -1007 -7.0%
Common robbery 17064 15243 -1821 -10.7%
Robbery with aggravating circumstances 2637 2521 -116 -4.4%
Total Contact Crimes ( Crimes Against The Person) 5347 5239 -108 -2.0%
CONTACT-RELATED CRIMES 45945 42314 -3631 -7.9%
Arson
Malicious damage to property 344 287 -57 -16.6%
Total Contact-Related Crimes 8080 7655 -425 -5.3%
PROPERTY-RELATED CRIMES 8424 7942 -482 -5.7%
Burglary at non-residential premises
Burglary at residential premises 5186 4875 -311 -6.0%
Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle 16314 15618 -696 -4.3%
Theft out of or from motor vehicle 2022 1743 -279 -13.8%
Stock-theft 5661 5399 -262 -4.6%
Total Property-Related Crimes 4051 3527 -524 -12.9%
CRIME DETECTED AS A RESULT OF POLICE ACTION 33234 31162 -2072 -6.2%
Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition
Drug-related crime 479 442 -37 -7.7%
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs 8 189 8776 587 7.2%
Sexual offences detected as result of police action 1767 1976 209 11.8%
Total Crime Detected As A Result Of Police Action 135 193 58 43.0%
OTHER SERIOUS CRIMES 10570 11387 817 7.7%
All theft not mentioned elsewhere
Commercial crime 18522 17180 -1342 -7.2%
Shoplifting 4329 3806 -523 -12.1%
Total Other Serious Crimes 3191 3148 -43 -1.3%
SUBCATEGORIES OF AGGRAVATED ROBBERY 26042 24134 -1908 -7.3%
Carjacking
Truck hijacking 255 270 15 5.9%
Robbery of cash in transit 71 89 18 25.4%
Bank robbery 4 9 5 125.0%
Robbery at residential premises 3 2 -1 -33.3%
Robbery at non-residential premises 753 718 -35 -4.6%
Total Subcategories Of Aggravated Robbery 989 852 -137 -13.9%
2075 1940 -135 -6.5%

NEWS

UPDATE

First Quarter 2016
PAGE 3

The Department of Police, Roads and Transport (DPRT) is Government, Project and Programme Management;
investing in its future through a new partnership with the Business SupplyChain Management and Public Finance Management.
School of the University of the Free State, focusing on training in
management and customer care. Mr. Selai says the cooperation between the Department and the
UFS Business School is very good. The Department has
Mr. Norman Selai, Chief Director for Corporate Services, says dedicated a budget of R10 million for training and it was a
that it is important that Customer Care in government should decision of the Executive Management to engage in four
change. “Providing effective service, that is what Batho Pele is all courses.
about,” he says.
Training commenced in phases to afford more officials the
The training of officials in various courses have started and 21 opportunity to attend. The training programme might be
people were already trained in Customer Service for Customer extended if budget allocations permit.
Service Agents (level 5-6 officials), 22 level 7-8 officials were
trained in Customer Care for Supervisors and 25 officials are The Head of the Department, Mr. Sandile Msibi, says the most
busy with the programme for new managers. This course will last important thing to do after a course like this, is to implement the
ten months. The last group of 20 officials are also busy with a service delivery improvement plans. “Senior managers should
ten-month course in the Managers’ Development Programme. make sure that the organisation can benefit from the training
provided to officials. “Learning is not perfection, we will make
The course for new managers (Assistant Directors upwards) is mistakes and try and try again,” the HoD said. He stressed the
custom-made by the UFS Business School for the Department. importance of mentorship in the Department and mentioned that
Several issues are addressed: Leading people, leading change, a workshop in mentorship will be a good idea.
operations, marketing and labour relations.
The HoD positively supports the notion that a change of culture
The course for the Management Programme covers General is needed in Government. “One of the biggest challenges is the
Management and Communication, Business and IT, Financial mind-set of people working in government. The Department
Management for non-financial Managers, Strategic Change must change – we cannot still work like dinosaurs. The National
Management, Enterprise Risk Management, Industrial Relations, Minister of Finance also said that government should change, if
People Management. Leadership Development, Ethics and not – there will be retrenchments,” Msibi says.

NEWS

UPDATE

First Quarter 2016
PAGE 4

The Department embarked on a massive campaign to raise According to the Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act no 116 of
awareness on domestic violence in Koffiefontein recently as part of 1998) domestic violence includes physical abuse, emotional
its fight against women and child abuse in the province. The aim of abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse and child abuse.
the campaign was to educate the community about domestic
violence and to inform them about their legal rights in instances of In addition to the above, conduct between people who are in a
domestic violence. relationship and one of the partners are being intimidated,
harassed, stalked, his/her property damaged or his/her
The roadshow campaign visited the community of Koffiefontein on residence accessed without consent, can also be labelled as
17 May and Officials from the Public Education unit of the domestic violence.
Department, members of the South African Police Service and
Community Policing Forum members distributed informational These atrocities happen and we are losing our community
pamphlets on domestic violence to educate about domestic members as a result of domestic violence. This does not only
violence and how to prevent it. affect the family of the victims but it affects the whole
community.
Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviour in a relationship that is
used to gain or maintain power and control over intimate partner or Domestic violence situations can be dangerous especially if
close relative. It is a serious crime against society and has the abuser has a weapon and/or is intoxicated by drink or
unacceptable incidence in South Africa. Victims of domestic drugs. If you want to assist someone, make sure to have back-
violence are usually the most vulnerable members of our society up – preferably from the police - when responding to a call
namely, women and children. from the victim or survivor.

NEWS

UPDATE

First Quarter 2016
PAGE 5

MORE ROADS COMPLETED

Our colleagues in the Road section have hit the new financial as a gateway to the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho,
year running with the completion of many key projects through- commuters to and from the Eastern Cape Province and local
out the province. farmers to transport their produce.

These improved roads offers commuters and pedestrians More than 410 people from the local community were
better access to their destinations, a less strenuous drive and employed in the project doing jobs e.g. flagmen, equipment
enhanced road safety. operators and general labouring. An amount of R91 million
was spent on the project.
Quality road networks form a vital link between production
centres and markets and provide access to employment, Other roads that were recently completed are:
social, health and education services. It also play a critical role
in the fight against poverty by providing easier access to more  Kroonstad - Vredefort
areas resulting in more job opportunities, stimulating of the  Parys Through Route
economy and social upliftment.  Memel - Bothaspas
 Oranjeville Bridge
One of the completed road project is the very busy tourist R74  Reitz to Kestell Road
road commonly known as Harrismith- Oliviershoek pass. The The following flood damaged roads were also repaired in the
24 km pass sweeps down through the northern Drakensberg 2015/16 financial year:
pastthe southern extremities of the Sterkfontein dam, to the
farming area north of Bergville in Kwazulu-Natal. The road  Bankies to Serfontein
provides alternative to Van Reenen’s pass, which is subjected  Robertdrif to Aansvilliers
to closure due to tracking accidents and snow. About R120  Barrage to Parys
million was spent on the project and 840 job opportunities were  Paul Roux to Rosendal
created during the construction of the road. The road is very  Vrede to Cornelia.
important as it impacts on the tourism sector of both the Free R20 million is budgeted for the 2016/17 financial year to
State and Kwazulu – Natal. address flood damaged roads and bridges.

Another important road project completed recently by the
Department is the R26 between Wepener and Zastron. This

Caption for picture (to be supplied)road form part of the scenic Maluti Mountain route which acts
Below is a picture of the resurfacing of the R74 along the
Sterkfontein dam.

NEWS

UPDATE

First Quarter 2016
PAGE 6

Licenced
drivers

and vehicle

owners to

verify
addresses

Do you know that since 1 November 2015 you have to Proof of a postal and residential address and any utility,
verify your address with your local licensing authority? clothing, cell phone or telephone account not older than three
months must be submitted.
Yes, it is true!
In the case where the person is not the person in whose
The publication of amendments to the National Road Traffic name the utility account is issued, the person in whose name
Regulations 2000 in Government Gazette 38 142 on 31 the utility account is issued must make an affidavit or
October 2014 stated in Regulation 32A that verification of affirmation declaring that the person resides at the address.
address particulars on the eNaTIS system has to be done
within 12 months after publication of the Gazette. If a person resides at an informal settlement or in a rural
area, a letter with an official date stamp from the ward
This verification is for purposes of making sure that all people councilor or local tribal authority confirming the postal and
registered on the eNaTIS timeously receive their vehicle and residential address of such person and or an affidavit
driving licence renewal notices and any other road traffic confirming proof of residential address must be submitted.
related correspondence.
According to the department, the regulation comes into effect
The regulations were amended to request a person or body of on 1 November 2015 and will apply to all the drivers of a
persons who is/are registered on the eNaTIS or wishes to motor vehicle and all persons registered on the eNaTIS or
make use of the eNaTIS services to, after a period of 12 wish to make use of the eNaTIS services be it because they
months from the date of publication of the regulation in the are holders of a valid South African driving licence or they
government gazette, to submit proof of their full names, identity are motor vehicle owners.
number and residential and postal address.
Non-compliance will result in non-receipt of important vehicle
One must submit full names, identity number and business and driving licence renewal notices and any other road traffic
registration number and any form of acceptable identification. related communique which are central to efficient
In the case of a company or closed corporation, the full names, communication with the eNaTIS users.
identity number or nationality of the proxy or the manager of
the company; and or a person who is authorised to represent
the company in all business relationships.

NEWS

UPDATE

First Quarter 2016
PAGE 7

A bunch of young entrepreneurs in OwaQwa is benefitting from the 2015 ABOVE: Boost for business: Miss Puleng Moloi
October Transport Month (OTM). and Mr. Velaphi Mthembu from Riverside in
QwaQwa are two of the young entrepreneurs who
The Minister of Transport, Hon. Dipuo Peters together with the MEC of received gas containers for their new businesses.
Police, Roads and Transport (PRT), Hon. Butana Komphela, and the Maluti-
a-Phofung Executive Mayor, Cllr. Vusi Tshabalala, handed over gas BELOW: Signifying a new beginning: The
containers to young entrepreneurs from QwaQwa to kick-start their Minister of Transport, Hon. Dipuo Peterson (left)
businesses. together with MEC Butana Komphela (right) cuts
the ribbon In the middle is Santaco President, Mr.
MEC Komphela said the initiative of gas containers will not only be Phillip Taaibosch, and on his left Maluti-a-
implemented in Riverside but in the whole Free State. In addition to Phofung Executive Mayor, Cllr. Vusi Tshabalala.
assisting entrepreneurs, the endeavour will also contribute to the national
drive to save electricity.

The gas containers project is part of the Logistic Hub Strategy that aims at
empowering the youth of the FS Province. The Director of Transport
Infrastructure, Me. Joy Matjoa, says the DPRT is committed to creating jobs
for the youth by promoting entrepreneur development projects. The logistic
hub program will run for a period of 20 years and by then at least 26 000
people will be employed in the Free State, says MEC Komphela.

Currently there are seven beneficiaries of the gas containers in the province
and more will be donated in due course.

NEWS

UPDATE

First Quarter 2016
PAGE 8

Dimakatso Mokala stands her ground

Senior Provincial Traffic Inspector, Dimakatso Mirriam Mokala is a wonderful example of a
disabled person that stands her ground and, in spite of only having one arm, do all the duties
expected from a traffic official with pride.
She is stationed in Edenburg and the date of 18 July 2007 is engraved in her history forever: That
was the date when her whole life changed. While on duty on the N1 between Edenburg and
Bloemfontein, she was hit by a truck and lost her left arm. After rehabilitation in Pasteur Hospital
and being on sick leave for four months, she was ready to get back to work.
“I do the same work as any other traffic official.” Dimakatso says. She specialize in doing eye test
for motorist, test for learners, roadworthy and even any other duties expected of a traffic official.
The only task she is not able to do is the testing of drivers.
She said it was difficult to adapt to the new situation and she is thankful for all the support she gets
from her colleagues. Her message to other disabled persons is: “It is not the end of the world, you
can still continue to live a full life. She also believes that everything happens for a reason and one
must make the best of any situation you encounter.

Patricia Moipolai braves the pain and never gives up!

Patricia Moipolai is an “I then stood up and did Matric God sees your heart,” she says.
Administration Clerk working at the again and a passed with Patricia started in the department
Lengau Testing Centre in distinction! I know God has a plan in 2008 as a Clerk in the Human
Bloemfontein. Although her one leg for me.” After obtaining her senior Resources Section. She also
is shorter than the other due to certificate she did a teaching made a turn in the IT section at the
childhood polio at the age of three diploma at the Thaba Nchu Help Desk and worked in Perm
resulting in constant pain, she College of Education. Building. She is now an
stays truly inspirational and As a person living with a disability, Administration Clerk at the Lengau
positive. The first time when she wants to encourage other Testing Station and is a very
Patricia tried to do her Matric disabled people. “You cannot give helpful person. She wears a
exams, she failed - even though up, even if you are physical special shoe aiding her to walk
she worked hard. This was a big disabled – stand up for yourself! light and she even make light work
setback for her and for seven years You are a unique person and God of going up and down a flight of
has a plan for you. stairs!
her life was misery.

Danelle van der Westhuizen strives to be free from limitations

DT.. raanneslpleovrta, nLadnedr Westhuizen is another beautiful lady working in the Department of Police, Roads and
Acquisition Section, who do not let her disability stop her living a full, free and positive
live. Danelle was in an accident as a 14-month-old baby and lost her hand. She attended Jim Fouché
Secondary School in Bloemfontein and after school, she did a , B Tech. in Public Management at the
Central University (CUT)
In 2006 she started in the then Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport as a personal
assistant for the Deputy Director General (DDG) of Roads and Transport. She was transferred in 2009

as an administration officer to the Land Acquisition Section in 2009. Danelle is a real go-getter and at
this stage she is perusing further studies at the CUT, she is doing a two- year course is Project
Management.
“A lot of people do not even realise that I have a disability. I do get a lot of support from my colleagues
in the workplace although I am able to do anything that other people can do,” she said. Her words of

wisdom related to being disable are: “For me it is to be free… I am free to be me, I am free to make my
own mark in this world…I am free from limitations.”

NEWS

UPDATE

First Quarter 2016
PAGE 9

Sebongile Maphalala’s spirit not crushed

Sinbongile Maphalala (42) is a proud Traffic Official from Harrismith even if she is
now in a wheelchair and on temporally incapacity leave, she is looking forward to go
back to her work.
She attended the Traffic College in 2005 and started to work at Villiers Traffic in
2006 and was doing traffic work for four years before she was involved in accident
on the N3 near Villiers towards the end of 2009. She and a female colleague were
giving assisting at a scene where they were doing duty next to a stationary bus at
night. Just before they were leaving, Senbogile was in the traffic vehicle and her
colleague was talking to the bus driver.
A truck slammed into the bus and the bus and truck smashed into her traffic vehicle.
She was seriously injured and was in hospital for a long time. Sinbongile recalls the
difficult times in Pasteur Hospital in Bloemfontein while she was busy with
rehabilitation. She learned to walk again and was able to walk with the help of a
crunch and she then requested a transfer to her hometown, Harrismith. She was still
able to drive her traffic vehicle and was doing administration work at the traffic
IonffiDceesc.ember last year, her health deteriorated when she fell and injured her hip. She had to spend some time in hospital
and is again wheelchair bound. She is confident that she will be able to walk again and her crutch is going to help her do
just that!
At her side and assisting her is her mother, Sara. She had to quit her job to help her daughter. Sebogile’s message for
other disabled people is that, even before you were born, God had a plan for your life. “God will not give us a burden that is
too heavy to carry. I am a living proof that God is good and we cannot question God’s plans. Her greatest wish is to get
back to work. You go girl!!!

Selina Tolbaard from Kroonstad Weighbridge

2014 have been an excellent year for Selina Tolbaard (44),she started her first fulltime
job ever. She is a disabled traffic official who is working at the busy Kroonstad
Weighbridge at the N1. Although she has speech and hearing impairment, she is doing
an excellent job.
Selina started in the Department of Police, Roads and Transport last year and joined the
Traffic Section at the Lengau Testing Station. This year, she was transferred to the
Kroonstad Traffic Section and this is a sweet home coming for the born and bred
Kroonstad lady.
Selina was born with a hearing impairment and as a result of this, her speech is also
handicapped. She attended to a normal school in Kroonstad. She did her six months
traffic training at the Mangaung Traffic Collage at the municipality.
“I like working at the weighbridge,” Selina said. She is getting a lot of support from other traffic officials working with her and
is a real inspiration for disabled people.

Rebecca Kobuoe, her supervisor, said Selina is a humble person and a person that is enjoying her work. “She is willing to
learn, and have good relationships with her colleagues, she is not afraid to ask for information, and also have a lot of
patience.” Rebecca said.

NEWS

UPDATE

First Quarter 2016
PAGE 10

Thaba Nchu road project wins Bokamoso award!

The upgrading of the Thaba Nchu Public Transport Route One of the teachers at Mokweng Primary School, Gapilwe
(S110) by the Department of Police, Roads and Transport Kegakilwe, said the school appreciate the work the
(DPRT) recently won the national Bokamoso Award as the Department has done on the road and the consequent
best Expanded Public Work Programme (EPWP) improvement of the area. She said the new road reduced
Infrastructure Project. accidents, limits damage to cars and resulted in greater
The project is part of a community revitalisation project in punctuality by pupils because they do not have to waste time
Mokoena, Thaba Nchu, where labour intensive methods were negotiating adverse road surfaces.
used to build paved roads. Its focus is job creation and the Gapilwe lost one of her friends in a road accident on the old
development of skills through labour intensive methods used road. “I want to congratulate the Department for a job well
to pave roads. This community based project over 7.3km done,” Gapilwe said.
created 237 jobs to date. The total budget spent to date is
R58.8 million.
The project is part of the Sihamba Sonke project in
partnership with the National Department of Transport.
People living and working in the area are excited to
experience the big improvement this upgraded road brought
their community. Previously, the road was in a very bad
condition and teachers, learners and officials at and patients
to the local clinic had great difficulty reaching their
destinations. The bad road conditions also contributed to

damage to vehicles.

FS PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IYAQUBEKA

The Free State Provincial Government held yet another successful Above and below: Fixing of roads and demolition of a
Operation Hlasela at Excelsior in Mantsopa Municipality. dilapidated house during Operation Hlasela in Excelsior.
Operation Hlasela is a massive intervention of the provincial
government to bring changes to the ordinary people of the
province. During Operation Hlasela all Government Departments
come together and provide service delivery as per their respective
core function(s) to the area visited.

The Premier, Exco members, the Mayor and HoD`s had an
opportunity to visit various departments’ projects. One of the
beneficiaries of Hlasela, Mme Francinah Putsoane (96) lives alone
in her house. Her house was tiled, a new toilet system installed
and she received food parcels and blankets. The old lady couldn`t
hold back her tears of joy with all was done. She thanked the
leadership and the ANC led Government.

The Department of Police, Roads and Transport DPRT made its
contribution by marking and resealing roads in and around
Excelsior, repaired potholes, re-gravelled and bladed gravel roads,
cut the grass on the side of roads and fixed the drainage systems.
At the police station, three holding cell doors and the back-up
generator was fixed.

NEWS

UPDATE

First Quarter 2016
PAGE 11

NEWS

UPDATE

First Quarter 2016
PAGE 12

WOMEN DRIVERS COMPETE FOR TOP HONOURS
Women young and old from all over the province gathered in The purpose of the competition is to improve driving skills
Welkom to compete in the latest Free State Women Driver of through training and also to focus on changing women’s
the Year Competition. attitudes on the road.

In total 24 women competed. Except for a theoretical test, One of the participants, Moretto Mokhemisa, from Kroonstad
they had to show traffic officials they know how to do a pre- said she entered the competition to get her driving ability
inspection of a vehicle. Following this they had to do a yard assessed so that she knows where to make amends to better
skills test and then the road test. her handling of a vehicle on the road. She is very interested
in improving her driving skills and suggested that taxi drivers
Top honours went to Magdeline Ramokotjo from should also be tested in a similar competition.
Bloemfontein. In second place was Malerato Maduma-Loke,
also from Bloemfontein followed by Moloi Modiehi from The Decade of Road Safety Campaign declared by the
Welkom. United Nations from 2011 to 2020, aims at reducing road
accidents by 50%. Road safety is the responsibility of drivers
and pedestrians and all of us should take responsibility of
promoting road safety for the greater good of all.

One of the participants, Moretto Mokhemisa from Kroonstad
said she entered the competition to see how good her ability
to drive is. She is very interested to improve her driving skills
and suggested that taxi drivers should also be tested and has
a competition like this.

Even though the ladies were competing against each other,
they made some new friends during the competition.

LEARNERS DEMONSTRATE The overall winner of the PET competition was Albert Moraka
Secondary School in Thaba Nchu..
ROAD SAFETY KNOWLEDGE
Lenakeng Secondary School from Welkom presented a short
Learners from the Albert Moraka Secondary School came drama on the dangers of drunken driving. According to them,
out on top at the recent Provincial Participatory motorists are sometimes driving where pedestrians are supposed
Educational Techniques (PET) Competition that was held to walk when they are trying to prevent potholes. Intuthuko
at Aldam Holiday Resort near Ventersburg. They were the Katleho Secondary School from Vrede felt strong about their
overall winners and the winners in the Rural Section. The slogan: Stay away from danger. They identified a problem with
winners of the Urban Section were Lenakeng Secondary pedestrians crossing roads at any section of the road and stray
School. The winning schools will compete in the national animals that are roaming on the roads.
event in Gauteng later this year. “Phepafala – be safe, was the slogan of Ikaelolo Secondary
School from Bloemfontein. They did some road work in the
The purpose of the competition is to change learners’ Phelindaba Location and got support from the municipality and
attitudes by means of participatory education, to empower Raubex construction to fix potholes in the facility of the school.
them with research skills, and to encourage learners to be
aware of road safety issues or problems in their
community. A team of five learners from nine schools had
to come up with a road safety problem affecting their
school/community and develop a solution to the problem.

Hanover Combined School from Bultfontein had a strong
message to learners to say no to drinking and driving.
Lere la Thuto Secondary School from Zastron wants to
pass the message of road safety to the younger ones.
Their slogan is: Don’t fool yourself – speed kills!