The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (JOINTS) chairperson, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has personally expressed his appreciation to the various disciplines of the SAPS and all government departments for their excellent work thus far in ensuring a safe and secure environment for COP 17.
The JOINTS operations primarily entailed rigorous visibility of security forces in uniform and some in civilian clothes patrolling in vehicles, on foot, on bicycles and horseback and air support. Our security plans were prepared and is being executed together with the United Nations in order to ensure that the event is secured accordingly for any eventuality in the air, land and sea.
“Our strategy to primarily enhance and implement high visibility of security force personnel is proving to be very effective thus far”, said General Mawela. The greater part of this success must be attributed to the motorists and communities at large for their overwhelming support to our operations.
“We would like to appeal to the community at large to continue with their exemplary cooperation with the security forces”, urged Mawela.
While no serious incidents have been reported, criminals are warned that they will face the full brunt of the law if caught committing crimes.
Also, this deployment compliments our normal day-today policing and helps reduce reaction times quite significantly in the unlikely event an incident should occur. Therefore, security in surrounding areas is complemented rather than compromised.
In addition we have also planned for the securing and management of any parallel events whether or not they are associated with the conference. We are utilising specialised police officers to deal with issues such as protest actions and crowd control management to ensure that such actions are undertaken peacefully and within the limitations of the law.
Our greater strength in providing the best security as the host to major events lie in the deployment of our specialised units such as the Special Task Force, the National Intervention Unit, Public Order Policing, Tactical Response Teams, etc,.
The security forces have also embarked on detailed multi-disciplinary simulation exercises to better prepare for situations relating to hostage; chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRN) and other possible eventualities.
As we enter into the next phase of our operations to welcome Heads of State and over 160 foreign ministers in this coming week. We are satisfied with our strategic deployment of members from all security forces in and around Durban and the country at large to safeguard the estimated 30 000 delegates and observers from at least 193 countries, including the heads of state and government who are attending the COP 17.
“This is not the first event Durban or South Africa has played host to and it certainly will not be the last. We are confident that our fellow South Africans will assist us in making the stay of our visitors a pleasant and memorable one” said General Mawela.
Enquiries:
Colonel Vishnu Naidoo
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JOINTS Chairperson upbeat on security force deployment for COP 17
