Bheki Cele: SA’s youth turning to crime ‘an indictment on all of us’

Police Minister Bheki Cele has called on South Africa’s youth to make more contributions to the country’s solutions to ending crime.

Cele was in Khayelitsha, Cape Town on Youth Day, attending a Crisis Response Summit hosted by the Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF). The Summit was also attended by SAPS Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and other stakeholders, including the Western Cape MEC of Safety and Police Oversight in the Western Cape Regan Allen.

Cele touched on the youth’s unfortunate contribution to crime in the country, saying it is an indictment on all of us when the youth of any community resort to crime in order to survive.

“Unfortunately when you go to Pollsmoor prison or any other correctional service facility in the country, they are full of young people, even more sad is that our cemeteries are full of youths and the dead bodies we pick up at crimes scenes in Khayelitsha are mostly young people, this situation must change,” Cele said.

CELE: YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN THE ECONOMY STILL A PRIORITY

Bheki Cele addressed the summit and not only paid tribute to the youth of 1976, but also stressed that the participation of the current youth in the economy, should remain top of the agenda for government.

“The youth of 1976 didn’t fight for crime to thrive but fought for a better life, so today we are so glad when young people become part of the solution and say not in our name will there be crime, GBV or mistreatment of the most vulnerable in our society. It doesn’t end there, youngsters are going even further and coming up with tangible solutions, some are raising their hands to say they are willing and able to work with all spheres of government and stakeholders and avail themselves to be part of a journey towards neutralising crime.”

Police Minister Bheki Cele

Cele has also echoed the sentiments of President Cyril Ramaphosa during his address on Youth Day in the Eastern Cape, where he encouraged young people to reject crime and fight against corruption.

The Ministry is also urging police officers, especially young members in the service to lead by example, serve their communities with diligence and be exemplary to the youths in the areas they police.