The South African Police Service (SAPS) 2024 Safer Festive Season Campaign has been officially activated in the North West Province. The operation will implement an advanced crime prevention and combat strategy to address patterns of criminality that occur during the festive season. This includes a concerted effort by all law enforcement role players to drive sustainable solutions in addressing crime.
Speaking at the activation in Mahikeng on Thursday the MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng placed much emphasis on the province’s readiness to combat all forms and levels of crime.
“Criminals have declared war on the state and we simply accepting the challenge. We are ready and all men and women in blue are hereby given a directive. The directive is you must at all times fondly remember your oath. Among others your guides that you will address the root causes of crime in the community.
“Carry out your responsibility with integrity and dignity and never dishonour and degrade the image of the Police. Wear your uniform with pride and treat everyone courteously and respectfully whilst ensuring laws of the Republic are obeyed.
“Its going to be a long four months but we trust in your ability to ensure the citizens are safe. We trust in you to ensure that all criminal speak ill of you whilst holiday makers speak well of you. In you we trust that your discipline will stand you in good stead in the face of provocation and vexation,” said MEC Morweng while addressing the men and women in uniform.
The SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena says the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) has made a commitment to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign, where residents of the North West as well as holiday makers can feel and be safe.
“The safety and security of our people is an apex priority, this also includes travellers and holiday makers who will be coming to the province during a very busy time.
“Our efforts will speak to crime patterns identified such as the scourge of Gender Based Violence and Femicide, drug substance and alcohol abuse, effectively addressing trio crimes, stock theft which is a thorny one in our province, human trafficking and the spiking extortion which has shown its ugly face in all parts of the country,” said General Kwena while outlining the crime picture in the province.
The safer festive season campaign runs from the 1st of October 2024 to the 31st of January 2025. So far, over a 1000 suspects have been arrested for a variety of offences.
These include murder, rape, attempted murder, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, common assault, drug offences, illegal dealing in liquor, burglaries – both at business and residential premises as well as driving under the influence of alcohol.
Over and above these offences, 81 suspects are undocumented people who were handed over to Immigration Officials for processing. Of the 1 258 suspects, 421 were already on the police wanted lists and their arrest is a result of excellent detective work by our officers.
MEC Morweng activate 2024 Safer Festive Season Operation https://t.co/tKRbu64TPw#ArriveAlive #SaferFestiveSeasonOperation @NWPGCommSafety pic.twitter.com/cAaQ2dyZOJ
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 17, 2024
