The Eastern Cape South African Police Service’s (SAPS) kicked off their 2013 festive season programme on 6 November 2013, with operations in Port Elizabeth where unroadworthy vehicles were confiscated. The Duty Calls Safer Festive Season Programme approves the state of readiness of the police to ensure a safer and secure festive season. The MEC of Human Settlements, Safety and Liaison, Helen Sauls-August and the Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Celiwe Binta led police operations in the Nelson Mandela Metro.
While addressing the members of the SAPS, community and other stakeholders at the Lilian Ngoyi Sport Centre in KwaZakhele, MEC Sauls-August said, “This is a show of force for not only today but throughout the festive season where security services hold joint operations to make this a success.”
The MEC said she was very confident in the police and that they will now intensify their fight against crime. Sauls-August denounced the growing trend of communities taking the law into their hands leading to mob justice. Fighting crime with crime is never the solution, it only aggravates the situation.
More than eight vehicles had been impounded within the first 30 minutes of operations in Njoli Square. “This is sending out a clear message to law breakers in our province that people who do not obey the law will be brought to book,” she added. Some of the offences included driving without drivers’ licenses and unroadworthy taxis. Lt General CC Binta said “this is to ensure the people of the EC are and feel safe during this time”. People should be safe when they travel to their holiday destinations and return to their homes free from crime,” said Binta.
The aim of the launch was to ensure safety and security plans are in place and community involvement towards a safer festive season. New vehicles were handed over to the Humansdorp, Uitenhage and Mount Road cluster commanders to beef up their resources in the fight against crime. The MEC cautioned the people of the Eastern Cape against alcohol abuse which often leads to criminal activities.
