Interpol appoints SA ambassadors for Global Campaign

JOHANNESBURG – International policing organisation, Interpol, on October 23 named five South Africans as global ambassadors for its anti-crime initiative, Turn Back Crime.

South African ambassadors are CEO of Proudly South African, Adv. Leslie Sedibe; Head of Crime Line and Director of Crime Stoppers International, Yusuf Abramjee; Chairman of the Gauteng Community Police Board, Andy Mashaile; poet and anti-piracy activist, Mzwakhe Mbuli; and well known actress and singer KB Motsilanyane. National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, was appointed as the new Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-Operation Organisation (SARPCCO) chairperson.

The Southern African leg of the campaign was launched in Gauteng, during a meeting of the SARPCCO.

The representatives join other international Turn Back Crime ambassadors including world-renowned Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan; actor Jackie Chan; footballer Lionel Messi and Formula 1 racing drivers, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen, among others.

“It is such an honour to be an ambassador for this global crime fighting and prevention campaign, which aims to promote awareness of what ordinary people can do to prevent crime. To me, this speaks directly to the philosophy of Ubuntu which we, as South Africans, embrace so fiercely through active citizenship … I ’m no Jackie Chan, but I believe that collectively, each and every South African can contribute towards making a positive and tangible difference in our country and the world,” said Adv. Sedibe.

Part of Proudly SA’s mandate includes working with law enforcement and crime fighting bodies, particularly in the fight against illicit trade, illegal dumping of toxic material and counterfeit goods which are smuggled into South Africa and/or dumped in the country.

“We’re neither a dumping ground for fake and counterfeit goods – nor are we a warehouse for smuggled goods that are dangerous and harmful to consumers. We must continue to work with law enforcement officials and bodies to fight all forms of crime,” continued Sedibe.

Head of Crime Line & Director of Crime Stoppers International, Yusuf Abramjee said: “I am humbled to be named as an ambassador. Crime knows no borders and we need to spread the anti-crime message to every corner of the globe. We are taking a stand and we are inviting the global community to join us… We will continue to encourage people around the world to blow the whistle on crime. Tip-offs work.”

Abramjee added that in line with the Cape Town Declaration, adopted at the Crime Stoppers International Conference in Cape Town last week, all role players have to join forces and fight crime: “The invitation to join the Interpol Campaign is an honour and we are fully committed to join the rest of the world in fighting crime together,” he added.

Chairman of the Gauteng Community Police Board Andy Mashaile noted that this was an international responsibility for safety and security that he is prepared to soldier on. “We urge communities to join hands with Interpol and law enforcement agencies to turn back crime,” he said.

The Turn Back Crime Campaign also aims to support the global crime fighting community and their existing law enforcement initiatives and activities.