Shongwe welcomes the establishment of Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committees

Shongwe welcomes the establishment of Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committees

By Mushakabvu Kajengo

                                                                                                                    

Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe say the establishment of Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committees (PEECs) by Constitutional Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng would contribute towards reducing crime while addressing case backlogs.

Shongwe’s comments follow the establishment of PEECs by Mogoeng this week in the Western Cape High Court. The committees are among others expected to improve performance in courts, assist with improving the performance of the judicial system and performance of prosecutors.

Shongwe believes that speedy resolving of cases would enhance conviction rates and this would assist in restoring communities’ faith in the criminal justice system. This, the MEC, believes, would also ensure that criminals are put behind bars.

Shongwe explained that the delay in finalizing of cases usually subject victims of crime to secondary victimization and sometimes cases which would have been won are lost due to unnecessary delays.

“Speedy resolving of crime cases would further have a bearing on the public image of SAPS because failure of our courts to swiftly resolve cases creates the impression that the police are not doing their work,” the MEC added.

The committees will be made up of representatives from SAPS, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), departments of Correctional Services and Justice and Constitutional Development.