The Gauteng Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure has announced the establishment of the Regional Essential Infrastructure task team.

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The multi-disciplinary task team will solely focus on the prevention as well as combatting theft and damage to essential infrastructure thus, taking this task away from police stations that are already buckling under pressure with the increase of crime and lack of resources.

During a meeting in May the provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, met with stakeholders, including members of the Gauteng government, management of State Owned Entities as well all law enforcement agencies that are affected by these crimes.

A spin-off of the task team’s role will also include dealing with the illicit value chain related to the illegal sale and trade in non-ferrous metals.

According to a statement received from the Gauteng provincial department, the task team aims to integrate all operational processes, resources and intelligence across all operational environments of the SAPS, other law enforcement agencies, SOE’s as well as the private security industry under a single command in order to successfully address critical infrastructure related crimes in a synergised manner.

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Approximately 30 task teams will operate throughout the province on a 24-hour-basis across five demarcated districts including Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Tshwane, West Rand and Sedibeng.

These areas will further be divided into 30 regions.

The public is encouraged to provide the teams with information or tip-offs related to the theft of cables and damage to essential infrastructure as and when it occurs as it aims to eradicate disruption of services.