By Nomonde Makaula

East London - The European Union has donated R240-million to the Department of Safety and Liaison in the Eastern Cape to enable better policing in the province.

The money will be used to help build Eastern Cape police transport resources, to develop community policing and human resource management.

Dennis Neer, the provincial MEC for Safety and Liaison, said the latest donation was follow-up funding after the province successfully managed to spend R60-million that the EU donated in 2001 for infrastructural development in the province.

"Our first funded project was implemented successfully, that is why we were able to get other funds from the EU. We believe this programme is the most important one as it pays more focus on women and children's rights, particularly the abused," he said.

"Our province is among three most economically depressed provinces, which influences some of the people to commit crime," he said.

Last year, the EU donated 15 vehicles, costing more than R2,8-million, to be used by police in the province.

The EU plans to spend R1-billion a year over the next three years on developmental programmes throughout South Africa.
- BuaNews