Western Cape Police Management has assured the public that they are ready to keep residents and visitors safe this coming festive season.
The SAPS officially launched its Safer Festive Season Operations today, at the Rocklands Sports Field in Mitchells Plain.
Among the measures that will be implemented over the upcoming festive period are high-density operations under the Operation Shanela umbrella, roadblocks, stop and searches and the tracking and tracing of wanted suspects.
There will be heightened visible policing in high-crime areas.
The provincial police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile has promised an “aggressive stance” will be taken against serious and violent crimes so that the public can enjoy a peaceful holiday without the fear of crime.
Eighty-three new police vehicles are also being commissioned for duty from today and are ready for deployment to increase the existing capacity.
The MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety in the Western Cape, Anroux Marais and the National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, were also in attendance to give the operational forces their marching orders.
Police officers have been encouraged to uphold law and order at all times.
The provincial launch of the Safer Festive Season Operations follows the National launch last week.
During the national and provincial launch today, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola promised heightened police visibility across the country.
“Citizens can expect to see law enforcement visibility in their communities disrupting criminal activities that may want to pose a threat to law-abiding citizens who worked hard throughout the year and want to enjoy the holidays in a peaceful environment.”
Nine focus areas have been identified that police will be targeting countrywide during the festive season and beyond:
- Intensified campaigns aimed at eradicating Gender-Based Violence and ensuring the protection of members of vulnerable groups, including the elderly, people living with disabilities and LGBTQI+ people;
- Combatting the trio of crimes; namely, carjacking, robberies at residential premises and business robberies;
- Working together with the Border Management Authority and the Department of Home Affairs, to pay special attention to enhancing border security, searching for stolen properties, human trafficking, tracking wanted suspects, confiscating and seizing drugs;
- Clamping down on the illicit economy, including drug trafficking, illicit mining, illicit and counterfeit goods;
- Enforcing legislation in respect of firearms, liquor, and second-hand goods, including enforcing the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act (SASREA) to enhance the safety of residents;
- Cracking down further on crimes of extortion which has endangered the safety of business people and ordinary citizens alike;
- Combatting economic and infrastructure crimes by preventing illegal activities that cause damage to critical infrastructure;
- Working together with Metro Police and Traffic Police, to enforce municipal By-Laws to crack down on hijacked buildings; and
- Enhancing Road Safety by preventing drunk driving, removing unroadworthy vehicles from the roads and ensuring motorists adhere to the speed limit.
Masemola says all nine provinces must continue to prioritise their top 10 high-contact and violent crime stations over this period.
He has also called on all residents to play their part:
“We call upon all law-abiding citizens to continue to respect the rule of law, work together with the Police to ensure it is all hands on deck to Combat crime through decisive Police action and robust community involvement.”
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