About 7 000 police officers will be deployed in the province’s crime hotspots in the coming festive season.
The Mpumalanga provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, said this during the launch of the Safer Festive Season Operation at Risko Fakude Stadium in eMbalenhle on Tuesday, November 15.
Manamela said some members will also be deployed in areas such as malls and shopping centres.
“It cannot be ruled out that crime is a social issue that calls for our participation, hence we are launching this operation and the physical resources, including the state of readiness, are intact.
“We will be allocating 43 extra vehicles to beef up policing and to ensure that all resources are ready for the operation to be a success,” said Manamela.
“I am warning those who are planning to commit a crime that we will be everywhere, there will be roadblocks on all of our provincial and national roads, including at other key areas such as borders.
“We assure the community that this festive season’s plan was compiled in consultation with the provincial justice, crime prevention and security clusters, and is safe to say all role players are equal to the task,” said Manamela.
She said the police are ready to take on criminals to make this festive season safer.
She said they will show criminals no mercy and renamed the coming festive season as a “zero crime tolerance season”.
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Manamela said this provincial festive season plan will be effective until Tuesday, January 31 next year, with a focus on increasing police visibility and making sure that the manpower is managed correctly with the additional 735 police trainees who will pass out next month.
“Our police effect will be felt by those who cross the line in the coming festive season. We urge the community to report any criminal activities in their area.
“We support the Police Minister, Bheki Cele’s call of fighting any form of crime.”
She said they will follow the minister’s “More boots on the ground” approach to enhance police visibility.
