Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance 2003-2011

Good Practices and InnovATIONS in Public Governance
Africa
South Africa
2004 Category 3 Winner
Mobile Community Service Centre
South African Police Service
Limpopo Province
Description
Establishing a Rural Mobile Community Safety Centre to provide citizens with
reassurance through a more visible police presence.
The Problem
The Northern Province of South Africa is one of the poorest areas in the country
where 89% of the population lives in rural areas and 46% of its inhabitants is unemployed.
The province had a preponderance of social crimes, many of which were
committed against women and children. The challenge was how to deal with these
crimes given the limited presence of police in many rural areas, which additionally
lacked infrastructure and other resources.
The Solution
The objective of the governmental program was to deliver services efficiently, while
avoiding any discrimination against particular groups. The government worked under
the premise that making public services available to all citizens is a fundamental
pillar of a civilized and democratic society. Therefore, meeting the basic needs of all
citizens was one of the five key programs of the governmental Reconstruction and
Development Program (RDP).
In July 1999, the South African cabinet resolved to make improvements in public
services a key priority. Particular importance was given to improving services in rural
and remote communities. One of the main objectives of the Ministry of Public Services
was to empower civil servants to operate in a more flexible way by working in
collaboration with the private sector and NGOs.
Social and political transformations in South Africa required a new vision for establishing
a safe and secure environment for its citizens. Since the police was facing budget cutbacks,
building new stations and recruiting new members was not possible. The challenge
was “to do more with less”, and it was precisely this principle, which informed the decision
to establish the Rural Mobile Community Safety Centre as a sort of police station on
wheels. The Rural Mobile Community Safety Centre is a realistic, long-term solution to
provide a more visible and accessible police presence within rural communities.
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