The world-class standard of policing experienced during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is a model that must be carried out by each and every member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) as well as all the provincial law enforcement agencies.
This undertaking was echoed by the Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa, accompanied by Deputy Minister Ms Maggie Sotyu, Commissioner of Police, General Bheki Cele as well as various MECs responsible for safety and security during a meeting held at Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg today.
The purpose of the meeting was to deliberate on various policing issues in the country and was the first since the successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Key on the agenda was the assessment and review of the of the safety and security models which were implemented during the world cup. Amongst other critical issues discussed were progress reports around the upcoming festive season security plans, cross border stock theft, progress at the forensics and Central Firearms Registry.
Reflecting on the policing model adopted during the world cup, the meeting noted the successful implementation of the security plan, the multi-pronged approach as well as ensuring that this legacy is carried forward. Minister Mthethwa said law enforcement agencies have to adopt a new approach in effecting policing to society. “What characterised our approach during the world cup was premised around an integrated approach of working together, working smarter and faster. We may have adopted some of key lessons immediately post the world cup, but we now need to ensure these models become daily success recipes.”
“With immediate effect, we need to perfect it and parallel to this would be relooking our policing deployment strategy, that is, when, where and how we deploy our police and all the resources we bought during the tournament,” added the Minister.
Deputy Minister Sotyu emphasised a need to be a more coordinated approach in dealing with the border management. “One of the critical components which resulted in reduction of crime during the 2010 FIFA World Cup was around police visibility. But visible policing is a first step, what was more important was the positive attitude and commitment of our police, something that needs to be carried forward with more vigour.”
General Cele informed the meeting the working-together approach with other government departments is one of the lasting legacies which cannot be underestimated and these must be sustained. “The arrest of some of the most undesirable criminals from countries such as Argentina was to a large extent as a result of SAPS’ close collaboration with Home Affairs andSouth African Revenue Services ( SARS). We have sustained these relations and we will continue to create zero space for criminals.
General Cele further informed the meeting that for the upcoming festive season campaign, operations will be intensified across all provinces. This will be informed by a close collaboration amongst all provinces because the recent crime trends point to crime displacement (for example, criminals robbing Gauteng and rushing to hide in KwaZulu-Natal) as one of the critical challenges.
The meeting further deliberated around some of the pending legislative frameworks that government will be prioritising in the 2011. The meeting was informed that the Ministry of Police priorities will be on reviewing the White Paper on Safety and Security, SAPS Act as well as the Private Security Industry and Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). Some of the current sections of these policing legislations are not as clear as they should be; as such need to conform to the Constitution while addressing the current crime trends.
In conclusion, the meeting reaffirmed that efforts will be intensified across all provinces, whether from legislative, operational as well as change in attitude to the police on the ground – to ensure that safety measures are improved.
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