Limpopo MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison Machwene Semenya has confirmed that her department's budget allocation for the coming year has been increased by an unprecedented 67 percent to an amount of R23,6 million.

She has also reaffirmed her commitment to maintain Limpopo's reputation as a low-crime region, through the implementation of various key strategies. In presenting her budget vote in the Provincial Legislature this week, she singled out initiatives to educate and involve the public in crime prevention strategies as important elements of her department's programme of action.

"A snap analysis of crime patterns in Limpopo informs us that, as a province, we have done well in preventing and combating most forms of crime, except social fabric crime, which continues to rear its ugly head," the MEC said.

She added that the notion of Limpopo’s being the home of peace would mean that children could go to and from school safely, that women would be able to go about normal activities without fear of being abused, business people would have no fears of being robbed and killed, and visitors would be able to enjoy the province to the full. In addition, the future of the province's youth should be safeguarded, so that they would not be exposed to negative influences such as drugs and harmful substances.

The increased budget allocation would boost the fight against crime, by addressing the current nagging lack of resources, she pointed out.

The MEC also announced that her department would host a provincial crime prevention summit on the 26th and 27th of May.

"To us, this summit will serve as a long-term intervention in the safety and security environment in the province, by bringing together all stakeholders in focussed discussions that will produce a provincial crime-prevention strategy," she explained.

Ms Semenya identified the province's increasing number of juvenile prisoners, serious backlogs in the justice system, and a lack of knowledge by communities on how to access legal facilities, as major challenges which needed to receive urgent attention.