The fate of the City’s safety boss JP Smith will be decided at a meeting of the Democratic Alliance’s federal executive this weekend.
At a press conference about the impact of the ShotSpotter crime initiative yesterday, Smith, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, confirmed changes to the mayco is being discussed this weekend.
“The party will be considering the matter over the weekend. They will then decide whether they agree or disagree with the decisions made. Only then will I know what will happen,” he told Daily Voice.
This comes after a high-ranking source in the City revealed that Smith is to be axed come January 2017. The official said the orders came directly from Mayor Patricia De Lille, who is “punishing” Smith for openly criticising SAPS and how his department was being ‘controlled’”.
De Lille’s spokeswoman Pierrinne Leukes has denied the claims, but confirmed a portfolio shake-up is on the cards.
The Daily Voice has been inundated with calls from worried community workers who slammed De Lille for “wanting to get rid” of Smith.
The Cluster Chairperson of the Mitchells Plain CPF, Hanif Loonat, said Smith was doing a “sterling job”.
“He is a good man who genuinely cares about his community. The mayor must be warned: we will hold her liable for whomever fails in this new position. We will take her to court,” Loonat threatened.
Amid the cloud hanging over his head, Smith yesterday said the ShotSpotter has been a hit on the Cape Flats.
The gunshot detection technology has resulted in a decrease in gunshots in Manenberg and Hanover Park where it’s being piloted.
Smith said the tech can be used as evidence when prosecuting.
So far, for the month of September, 71 gunfire incidents have been recorded - down from 128 in August and 211 in July.
However, clever skollies are now using firecrackers to confuse the system and assess police response times before using their firearms.