Thank you, Deputy Chair, I didn't think that hon Makhubela would be offended. He knows what I'm talking about; he's my friend.
It should also be remembered that by accepting this legislation we are in no way second-guessing the work of the police. On the contrary, we are making sure that the police render their duties with excellence across all facets of their interaction with society. We expect the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service to take responsibility for strategic and indicative planning, research and the formulation of departmental policy proposals, which, when approved by the Ministry, would guide the activities of the SA Police Service.
We expect the Bill to monitor the department to ensure alignment with policies approved by the Minister and to develop and implement performance controls of the performance agreements, which direct functions of members of the South African Police. It is also expected that the Bill will provide ministerial support services, including the management and control of departmental and international media and stakeholder liaison as well as legal services.
Therefore, we envisage that the Bill will implement a communication strategy aimed at informing and mobilising role-players and partners outside the department regarding policing matters.
Ultimately, the Bill must strengthen the partnerships on social mobilisation to deepen the national dialogue on safety. The Civilian Secretariat for Police Service will be accountable to the Minister and to Parliament for its functions and activities.
Another key aspect of the Bill relates to the establishment of provincial secretariats. We expect better alignment between the civilian secretariat and the provinces with the establishment of provincial secretariats. It is here in the engine room of the provinces that we will expect to see strong and functioning monitoring and evaluation units in the provinces.
We also intend to deepen the national dialogue on safety by establishing partnership units as part of the provincial secretariats. We are certain that the Bill before this House provides us with a sterling opportunity to put into practice the policies, methodologies and strategies to refine our policing for all South Africans.
We remain committed to seeing through our vision of a transformed, accountable and effective police service. With these two pieces of legislation, we are committing ourselves to continue working for the entrenchment of a human rights culture. We have now provided the new Independent Police Investigative Directorate and the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service with the necessary tools, and it will be up to the leadership of these bodies to implement this mandate. I thank you. [Applause.]