Speaker’s notes: Acting National Commissioner, Lt General Khomotso Phahlane Russia-Africa Anti-Drug Dialogue Conference , Durban, South Africa
Minister of Police, Mr Nathi Nhleko
Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini
Deputy Minister of Police, Ms Maggie Sotyu
The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Senzo Mchunu
The Mayor of eThekwini, Mr James Nxumalo
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, Lt General Mthandazao Ntlemeza
Director of the Federal Russian Drug Control Service of the Russian Federation, Mr Viktor Ivanov
Representatives of the Member States of the African Union
The Commissioner for Peace and Security, African Union, His Excellency Ambassador Smail Chergui
Deputy National Commissioners of the South African Police Service
Divisional and Provincial Commissioners of the South African Police Service
Members of the various media outlets
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a privilege to be afforded the opportunity to be standing before all of you this morning.
The South African Police Service is honoured to be part of such an historic and groundbreaking event.
On behalf of the Department of Police in the government of the Republic of South Africa, allow me to welcome all our visitors from abroad to this beautiful country as well as welcome you all to the hospitable province of KwaZulu-Natal.
The Russia-Africa Anti-Drug Dialogue was sanctioned by the South African Cabinet last year, with a sole aim of undoubtedly strengthening and sustaining a consolidated position in countering the world drug problem ahead of the forthcoming UN General Assembly Special Session.
This Special Session, which will be held in New York next month, is appropriately themed “Achieving the 2019 goal – a better world for tomorrow’s youth”. Resolutions at RAADD will be critical in developing a Russia-Africa position on the world drug problem.
As a key part of Russia’s objectives, when the country was elected to the BRICS Presidency last year, was the resolute decision to promote solutions to the most pressing international issues which represent a priority for Russia and its BRICS partners; and very pertinent amongst these was the intensified fighting of the scourge of international trafficking of illicit drugs amongst member states.
Drug trafficking, as part of a wider international criminal network, has become a complex international problem that has had a negative impact on economic development, disintegrating communities, undermining sovereignity of independent states as well as the ongoing destruction of family values and threatening the future of society in general.
It is for these purpose that we, as BRICS member states, agreed on continuous interaction at various government levels, including the use of specialised crime fighting agencies in our countries, to counteract illicit drug trafficking as well as putting a stop to the trade worldwide.
In South Africa we have adopted a zero tolerance stance against illicit drugs and, as the President of South Africa recently announced, we welcome the establishment of the SA Narcotics Enforcement Bureau, which will embrace our back-to-basics approach towards law enforcement and crime fighting.
Just as we have to unite within our respective countries, so too must we – as a global village – stand in unity to fight against common enemies, including those who poison the vulnerable with illicit substances.
We therefore, wholeheartedly embrace the collaboration between African countries and Russia and fully support the resolutions flowing from this important dialogue. Let us acknowledge this as a bold step towards broadly unpacking the challenges that drugs pose for our youth, our countries and our economies.
Let us view the eThekwini Russia-Africa Anti-Drug Dialogue from the July 2015 Banjul conference. This, the second part of the dialogue, was convened – and I believe will succeed – in consolidating our position on countering the far-reaching drug problem.
As a long-serving law enforcement official, I have witnessed firsthand how substance abuse has ravaged individuals, families and communities in various parts of this country.
As an organisation, the South African Police Service therefore welcomes this gigantic leap we are taking with our Russian counterparts and the member states of the African Union.
We are confident that our deliberations will yield a consolidated, unifying counter-narcotics approach that is very much needed, and for this, I thank you.
