Mr. Bongani Mkongi visited the Eastern Cape today to make strong in roads and interventions after several reported incidents of alcohol and drug abuse at the Walter Sisulu University Campus in Mthatha.
The Deputy Minister met different stakeholders at the university on the 8th June, in an attempt to ensure harmony and stability. The stakeholders included University Management, Labour Leadership, Security Bodies and Student Representative Council (SRC).
SAPS senior management formed part of this stakeholder engagement where the issue of security measures were discussed in detail. Lack of Safety and security in the campus of about 15 000 students appeared as a serious concern for all the stakeholders.
Management explained the situation in the university as vigilantism. They suspected substance abuse as a major contributing factor to the unruly behaviour in the campus.
The Deputy Minister of Police described the gathering as a milestone meeting. “This is a milestone meeting, which is the beginning of a constructive process. After viewing the crime statistics within the university, he assured that SAPS will intervene. “After the crime statistics was presented, I saw a dire and urgent need to intervene in this situation. We will deal with crime, especially drug trafficking, in this university. We will root out such evil elements in this campus”- he emphasized.
He encouraged the youth and students leadership, as he believed that their weakness would cause the university to collapse. “If you have a weak youth or student’s leadership, this university will collapse.” the Deputy Minister warned.
He characterised crime as not just a social matter, but also a political weapon, and he urged the stakeholders to work together in the fight against crime, especially in the university
All the stakeholders were put task by the Deputy Minister to ensure safety in the institution.
The Student Reperesentative Council (SRC) was tasked to form part of the Safety structures, so as to ensure safety of students.
The South African Police was ordered to elect University Unit and deal with the drug trafficking in the campus.
The university management assured the Deputy Minister that they would commit themselves in ensuring safety and harmony in the campus.
The Deputy Minister instructed the forum to formulate a Safety Structure, of which the Ministry will form part. He then promised to come back to the university to hear about the progress.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
