4 April 2008

A NEW task team, backed by a team of experts is set improve service delivery, discipline and operational effectiveness among metro police, says City Manager Achmat Ebrahim.

"This team will deal with matters such as getting the basics right, discipline and speedy disciplinary action where needed while improving the image and auditing to ensure proper financial and governance processes," said Ebrahim.

The new joint task team, chaired by the city manager, will be set up to perform the oversight role.

The team will include the Metro Police Chief, his deputies and skilled subject experts from administration in areas such industrial relations, legal and communication.

The team will also include politicians, Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, councillor Dumisani Ximbi, and the chairperson of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, Councillor JP Smith.

"Cape Town needs a functional and effective metro police service and this is what the task team will try to achieve. I am happy to be a part of it," said Councillor Ximbi.

Metro Police have been reporting directly to the city manager in terms of a Mayoral Committee resolution since 1 February 2008.

Ebrahim has briefed the City's Safety and Security Portfolio Committee about the intervention and the process.

He said he will not be taking over the day-to-day management of the metro police but rather be working with (metro police) and through the command structure.

There have been a number of incidents involving metro police members which necessitated disciplinary action against them.

The city manager said these included the mass protest action and blockading of roads in Cape Town on 15 August 2007 and other incidents involving the public where officers have not adhered to the metro police manual.

"Within a uniform branch with firm command and control structures, these incidents over time indicate problems. It is my responsibility in terms of the law to remedy this," said Ebrahim.

He said this will be a difficult and long process as there were no quick fixes for complex problems which have developed over a long period.

"But we have to rectify them and I am confident that the new task team can achieve that," Ebrahim said.

Source: BuaNews.gov.za