Hon House Chairperson, the DA congratulates Premier Alan Winde and his team on the groundbreaking provincial safety plan and the deployment of the first 500, out of 3000 law enforcement officers unto the streets of Cape Town. [Applause.] Regrettably, the Minister of Police is not here today. He is presiding over the worst violent crime statistics in recent memory. He has instead chosen to put politics before the safety of the people of the Western Cape. Acting more like a cowboy than a Minister he referred to law enforcement officers as thugs, calling the deployment illegal while casting aspersions on the Premier and his government suggesting that they be arrested.

The Minister would do well to take notes at this point. Not only can the city's law enforcement officers much information, they know their left from their right and are appointed 100% in line with the Criminal Procedure Act. All criminal records are verified by SA Police Service, SAPS prior to their appointments. Officers have received all of the relevant training and every certificate and piece of paperwork is in place and signed off by the relevant authorities, including the SA Police Service.

All staff on the city that carry firearms are fully competent to do so and have the required legal authority. Instead of playing politics, the Minister should give praise where it is due and get behind this excellent plan by providing us full support. It is not clear why the Minister of Police does not support this plan when it has already received the full support of the SA Police Service. I thank you. [Applause.]

Ms N N SIHLWAYI Mr A G WHITFIELD