Community Safety
(a) What amount of funding was provided to the Laingsburg Municipality for the Rural Safety Plan and (b)(i) for what purpose were the funds used and (ii) what are the details thereof?
(a) The Central Karoo District Municipality provided an amount of R400 000 to the Laingsburg Municipality, based on the Safety Business Plan provided by last mentioned municipality.
(b) (i) As per the latest progress report received by the Central Karoo District Municipality from the Laingsburg Municipality, dated 18 October 2021, none of the funds had been expended yet.
The Laingsburg Safety Business Plan provided to the department by the Central Karoo District Municipality states that the cooperation between the municipalities and different departments and spheres of government within the Central Karoo Rural Safety Plan paved the way for easier cooperation within the field of safety. In this regard, a more localised approach in terms of safety is planned in the Laingsburg Municipality, indicating a focus on the allocation of funds per ward, for ward-based safety initiatives. This is also in alignment to the local area-based approach of the Western Cape Safety Plan. In this way, it is envisaged that there will be greater alignment of resources, staff, and initiatives within the Laingsburg Municipality.
(ii) According to the latest progress report, the planned expenses are:
- Road safety enhancements (speed bumps)
- Street lighting improvements
- Appoint neighbourhood watches
- Contribute to rural farm safety (Agricultural Committee – cameras on farms)
