The Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (JOINTS), comprising of the South African Police Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and various government departments, has embarked on a nationwide operation called "Operation Paseka" to ensure that all people in South Africa are and feel safe during the Easter holidays which started yesterday.
All provincial structures of the JOINTS have been directed to heighten security in preparation for either the influx or exodus of people from their respective provinces.
The planned operations are intended to primarily prevent all crimes, particularly serious crimes such as aggravated robberies, crimes against women and children, the proliferation of firearms, illegal liquor outlets, counterfeit and second-hand goods, etc. Both our national and provincial roads will also be closely monitored to detect speedsters and other contraventions with a view to drastically reduce the carnage on our roads around this holiday period.
The operation has been divided and is being executed in three phases, the pre-Easter holiday phase, the Easter holiday phase and post Easter holiday.
The operational focus areas will include stop and search operations, roadblocks & vehicle checkpoints, special operations around possible business, house and cash-in-transit robberies as well as the hijacking of vehicles, illegal and abuse of liquor will be conducted. All operations throughout the country will be closely monitored by the National Joint Operational Centre set up in Gauteng.
Joint security force personnel will maintain a high visibility of policing by being strategically deployed in uniform patrolling on foot, in vehicles and being provided with air support.
There are a total of four public holidays falling within the period of the operation, including Human Rights Day, Good Friday, Freedom Day and Worker's Day and security for events taking place on these public holidays have been taken into consideration.
"We will be out in full force and we will not tolerate any criminality, however petty one may consider it to be", said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Chairperson Lieutenant General Elias Mawela. "Abuse of alcohol has the potential to lead to more crimes being committed either by or against the indulging person. Therefore, we will not take this lightly", warned General Mawela.
Media Contact:
Colonel Vishnu Naidoo
Cell: 082 567 4153
Tel: 012 400 6573
Fax: 012 400 7018
E-mail: mediacentre@saps.org.za
Zero tolerance during Easter holidays
