In recent weeks, Gauteng has witnessed the conclusion of high-profile cases in the different courts, most of which are related to gender-based violence and the killing of innocent people.
These are violent cases that constitute gross human rights violations.
One was the horrendous murder of Karabo Mokoena, which saw her killer on-off boyfriend Sandile Mantsoe being convicted in the Johannesburg High Court and sent to jail on May 3.
As a custodian of safety in Gauteng, I wish to reiterate my discontent at the sentence handed to Mantsoe because I believe he literally got away with murder.
He deserved nothing less than a life sentence.
Last Thursday, the province breathed another sigh of relief when serial taxi rapist Nothile Dlamini was sentenced, in the Protea Magistrate’s Court, for his involvement in the “Quantum rapes” in 2015.
The rapist is one of the people who terrorised female passengers in the Booysens, Soweto and Roodepoort policing precinct last year.
We commend our law enforcement agencies for their thorough investigations and for presenting water-tight cases before the court that secured the conviction and sentencing of these criminals.
However, perhaps the time has come for us to reflect and ask ourselves: What has this society come to? What has come over us as a nation when such a disturbing and extremely frightening trend of utter disrespect for our women and children by some men has emerged?
We need collectively to take a stand.
We cannot allow criminals to terrorise our peace-loving and law-abiding citizens across the country.
Crime in this country has taken different forms.
The rate at which it is happening continues to pose serious questions about the effectiveness and efficiency of our law enforcement agencies, particularly the police.
However, we remain steadfast in our efforts to deal with acts of criminality across Gauteng.
The sentencing of Njabulo Ngubane last Friday left me with a great sense of fulfilment.
He was found guilty of the murder of Khwesi Hudson, the manager of the popular Sakhumzi Restaurant in Vilakazi Street, Soweto, during a robbery attempt on January 29 last year.
Ngubane got a life sentence.
While I admit our law enforcement officers must be criticised when they fail to carry out their duties properly, I take my hat off to them for the manner in which these cases were presented in court.
I also want to urge our law enforcement agencies to handle all cases diligently, irrespective of whether they are in the spotlight or not.
In recent years, South African law enforcement agencies have been gripped with negative scandals that have left many citizens wondering if we still have a credible police force.
Corruption, fraud and bribery are some of the crimes that the law enforcement fraternity were reportedly involved in.
The rot in our law enforcement fraternity was so deep that it involved high-ranking officials, some of whom have been convicted of corruption and bribery.
Many people are not always drawn to careers that give them the opportunity to give back to their community.
Law enforcement officers are required to serve the nation.
Our law enforcement officers, particularly our police, go above and beyond the call of duty daily and devote their lives to those whom they serve.
While we admit there are some rotten apples in the system, there are many men and women in blue who continue to make a positive impact on the lives of ordinary South Africans every day.
They go beyond the call of duty to become real-life superheroes.
It is through their dedication and commitment that we continue to register victories in court cases.
With the recent upsurge of cash-in-transit heists as well as the brutal killings of women in Gauteng, law enforcement agencies have had their hands full in trying to prevent and solve these cases.
Our police officers in Gauteng will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that criminals are brought to book and criminal elements are rooted out of our communities.
The Gauteng Integrated Policing Plan requires collaborative work among the law enforcement agencies in the province.
It is through this approach that we have built formidable partnerships and are working towards a common goal of ensuring that our citizens in the province are and feel safe.
Without fear, favour or prejudice in pursuit of a common goal, we shall continue to deter those who want to bully us in our own land.
Our law enforcement officers will continue to devote their lives unselfishly to the communities that they serve.
* Nkosi-Malobane is the MEC for Community Safety in Gauteng.