By Buffalo City Reporter
16 July2008

LAW enforcement agencies and departments of criminal justice in Eastern Cape will meet in East London for the inaugural meeting of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster on Friday, 18 July.

The cluster was set up after it was mooted by the MEC for safety and liaison, Thobile Mhlahlo, in his policy speech earlier this year.

It aims to strengthen co-ordination of the criminal justice system at provincial and local levels. This, in turn, will pave the way for the rejuvenation of community safety forums.

“This cluster will co-ordinate and strengthen relationships between all law enforcement agencies in the province and further promote co-operative governance in the fight against crime, especially crimes against women and children,” Mhlahlo said.

Speakers expected at the first meeting include the director-general of justice and constitutional development, Menzi Simelane, the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, Jody Kollapen; MECs and heads of department, led by the provincial director-general, Sibongile Muthwa.