National Safer Festive Season operations launched
The operations will see more boots on the ground through heightened police visibility focusing on preventing and combating crime and, at the same time, countering serious and violent crime during this period.
The SAPS launched its National Safer Festive Season operations at Moretele Park, Mamelodi in Gauteng on October 11.
The national launch serves as a precursor to the Safer Festive Season operations which will be rolled out in each province.
These will be carried out until January 31, 2025.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said the Safer Festive Season operations will see more boots on the ground through heightened police visibility focusing on preventing and combating crime and, at the same time, countering serious and violent crime.
He said maximum resources have already been deployed as the police seek to assert the authority of the state to ensure South Africans, businesses, and visitors to the country are, and feel safe this festive season and beyond.
Mchunu was joined by deputy police ministers Polly Botshelo and Cassel Mathale, national commissioner General Fannie Masemola, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, local councillors, and other stakeholders from Mamelodi.
Mchunu said the SAPS is ready to confront threats to safety and security head-on.
“Let’s make it known that while criminals may be planning their unlawful missions, the SAPS and our partners in law enforcement will be more alert and vigilant than ever before.”
He said the operation will stretch across the nation, ensuring that citizens, businesses, and tourists are and feel safe during this time of rest, relaxation, and celebration.
“We are not just focusing on the hotspots but on every corner of South Africa,” he said.
Masemola symbolically handed over the Safer Festive season operation plan to the minister.
He said all law-abiding citizens should continue to respect the rule of law and work together with the police to ensure it is all hands on deck to combat crime through decisive police action and strong community involvement.
“Unlike the rest of the nation who will be taking a break, our SAPS members will be hard at work safeguarding all people in South Africa by conducting [the] Safer Festive Season operation,” said Masemola.
The focus areas of the operation are:
– Working with border management authority and the Department of Home Affairs to enhance border security.
– Enforce firearms, liquor, and second-hand goods legislation, including enforcing the safety at sports and recreational event acts.
– Combat extortion by working with metro and traffic police to enforce municipal by-laws, crack down on hijacked buildings, and enhance road safety.
– Eradicate GBV and ensure the protection of vulnerable groups.
– Combat crime, namely carjacking, house robberies, and business robberies.
– Deploy more resources at murder hotspots and areas to bring about stability in communities to ensure residents feel safe.
– Combat illicit trafficking and mining and counterfeiting.
– Combat economic and infrastructure crimes.
Masemola concluded that South Africans, businesses, and visitors to the country can rest assured that the Safer Festive Season Operation has already hit the ground running to ensure everyone is and feels safe this festive season and beyond.
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