The provincial police launched their Operation Festive Season at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Wesselton last Friday.
The event was hosted by the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Mpumalanga, Lieut-Gen Mondli Zuma with the Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Bongani Mkhongi, in attendance.
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The Executive Mayor of the Msukaligwa Municipality, Mr Buti Mkhaliphi, opened proceedings, welcoming the attendees.
He said the municipality was proud and honoured to host an event of this magnitude.
Formal proceedings kicked off with medals awarded to the Provincial Protective Security Services in categories of 10 and 20 years or more in the service with a clean record and participation in the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Inkosi Bheki Mnisi, representing the Chairman of the House of Traditional Leaders in the Province and Inkosi SG Ngomane, gave words of support to the men and women in blue.
Mr Mnisi urged the creation of safe and secure environment for their subjects should continue at all times.
Lieut-Gen Zuma outlined the purpose of the event, stating that plans are in place to deal with the various categories of crime that are plaguing the province, especially this festive season.
He assured communities across the province that the police will be present everywhere to prevent crime from occurring at any given time.
“We will be visible at malls, taxi ranks and places of particular concern so criminals do not even think of disturbing the peace.”
The Executive Mayor of Gert Sibande District Municipality, Mr Muzi Chirwa, echoed Mr Mnisi’s words, pledging his own support to the event as well as Operation Festive Season.
Mr Mkhongi gave the keynote address, stating they need to gear themselves up for the task that lies ahead, that of not only making communities safe, but also to feel as such.
He said members needed to ensure that they approach any crime scene as a potential threat, ensuring that in any engagement or confrontation with criminals, criminals come second.
The event also saw senior officers and members of the police in various units including Traffic Control, Transport Inspectorate, SARS Custom Officials, Home Affairs Migration.
Officers, SANparks Game Rangers, Working on Fire and private security members, parading around the stadium to the delight of the crowd.
The Operational Plan was handed over to Lieut-Gen Zuma and Mr Mkhongi, who signed it to officially launch the campaign.
The event concluded with members from the different units showcasing scenarios of what they will do when faced with a certain dangerous crime situation.
Police entertained the crowd with the Explosives Unit detonating a faux bomb and the Flying Squad’s helicopter flying near the ground.
