This unique trip was organised by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security and saw Constable Katlego Mothapo and Captain Kym Cloete, along with police members from other provinces, receive training on Chinese security matters.
Cloete explained that the visit was a first of its kind and was a learning and cultural experience for those who took part in it.
“As the delegation from the South African police, we got to do a variety of things including attending seminars and training, but also learnt about the culture in the country,” she said.
Cloete related that the delegation was also exposed to the community policing forum in China, something she labelled as a worthy experience.
She praised the initiative and expressed the hope that more police officials would get the opportunity to go on such visits as there was much to learn from other nations.
Mothapo echoed Cloete’s words, saying that his experience of China was totally different from what he had initially expected.
“The Chinese people are very welcoming and I never for a moment felt like a foreigner during my stay there,” he said.
Mothapo also relayed his experiences of the Chinese culture and the various tours taken to the Great Wall of China, the rural Tulou, an island in Xiamen, the University of Xiamen – which is the oldest varsity in China – and the Forbidden City.
The South African delegation also attended courses related to policing in China, which introduced the group to many aspects relating to their day-to-day policing.
The visit was from 23 October to 10 November and included officials from border control and the Western Cape.
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