MEC speaks at HIP Alliance meeting
The Gauteng Minister for Safety and Security and Member of the Executive Council (MEC) Faith Mazibuko was the guest speaker at a recent safety and security meeting.
The meeting, between members of the Hellenic, Italian and Portuguese Alliance (HIP Alliance) and members of the ANC, took place at the Hellenic Cyprus Brotherhood in Bedfordview on Tuesday, April 22.
The senior executive and chairman of the HIP Alliance, Mr Stavros Nicolaou, welcomed everyone and gave an overview of the agenda of the meeting.
“The meeting is part of an interactive pre-election programme organised by the HIP Alliance. In the past, the HIP Allience and the ANC have had various meetings. We organised this smaller meeting to allow us a chance to attack issues more intensely and to bring about more interaction, engaging members and finding solutions,” said Mr Nicolaou.
“Some of the questions we as South Africans of Hellenic, Italian and Portuguese decent need to ask ourselves are, what sort of South Africa do we want to see in the next 20 years, what is the role we see ourselves playing and how can we engage in policy issues that affect us?” he added.
Following an introduction from Mr Nicholous, MEC Mazibuko took the stand and opened with the 2014 ANC election manifesto. She highlighted the key areas related to the HIP Alliance. MEC Mazibuko also briefly discussed the controversy surrounding President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla home, bringing to light some of the various elements that inflated the upgrading of the presidential home.
After her presentation, MEC Mazibuko gave the stage to members of the HIP Alliance who had questions and concerns.
Three main issues were raised by members of the HIP Alliance.
The first concern raised was the deteriorating relationship between the public and the SAPS, especially in the Cleveland area.
The second concern raised the issue of organised criminal syndicates operating and selling drugs in Bedfordview, affecting the country’s youngsters and turning some areas into drug havens.
The final concern raised by the HIP Alliance was the group’s efforts to try create employment through members’ businesses, verses the policies around permanent employment and minimum wage.
MEC Mazibuko noted the concerns and indicated that feedback would be given at the next HIP Alliance and ANC meeting.
“The meeting went well overall. We appreciate the concerns and issues the HIP Alliance brought to our attention. We would like to strengthen this relationship over the coming years,” said MEC Mazibuko.
@BedfordJourno
