FUN FACTS ABOUT DANE VAN NIEKERK:
THE time has come to mobilise the world against crime, says anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee.
I have just returned from the 39th annual conference of Crime Stoppers International (CSI) in The Hague, Netherlands. I was elected vice-president of the global body, and it is an honour and I am humbled.
For the first time, a woman was elected president. Sharon Hanlon from Australia and I have pledged to do our bit to make the world safer.
Crime Stoppers International is a global non-profit organisation (NPO) representing several regions committed to supporting law enforcement efforts to prevent and solve crime by mobilising citizens to anonymously report illegal activity.
It comprises local CSI programmes in 26 countries, and we oversee a sophisticated network.
Our partners include law enforcement, the media, public and NPOS as well as international companies committed to the fight against crime.
During the three-day conference, experts from across the globe addressed delegates.
We also signed “The Hague Accord” and pledged to promote global alliances in the fight against crime.
The SAPS, was represented by head of detective services, Lieutenant-general TC Mosikili, and the head of Crime Stop, Brigadier Attie Lambrecht. They are fellow directors on the CSI board.
South Africa’s Crime Stop gets thousands of anonymous tip-offs annually via the 08600 10111 number.
This leads to thousands of arrests and seizures worth millions of rand.
The illegal tobacco trade also dominated much of the discussion at the conference. South Africa was praised for the #Takebackthetax initiative.
As spokesperson for the campaign, I was delighted to hear the UK Intellectual Property Office saying they wanted to start a similar drive.
The illegal cigarette trade is a global problem and authorities have to do much more to stop it. Speakers highlighted the lack of action in several countries.
As the global authority on anonymous reporting, CSI principal areas of focus are transnational crime and criminal activity linked to illicit trade, human trafficking, environmental and wildlife crime, cybercrime and international fugitives.
Crime affects all of us and it’s time for action. Let’s join hands, mobilise. It’s a war and we are going to win it!
Yusuf Abramjee is an anti-crime activist and newly elected vice-president of Crime Stoppers International. He is also chief ambassador of the Namola/ Dialdirect Safety App. Twitter: @abramjee
◆ She is married to a teammate. Van Niekerk and fellow all-rounder Marizanne Kapp have shared more than just a few partnerships in the middle. The two cricketers are madly in love and tied the knot in July this year.
◆ Her dad convinced her to try spin. Being an aspiring cricketer growing up in South Africa, you’re likely to want to bowl as fast as you possibly can. Such was the case for a young Dane, until her father convinced her to try spin.
◆ One of the first girls to join a boys’ academy in SA. She shares that distinction with none other than her wife Marizanne Kapp after both were included in the Eastern Province Cricket Academy, playing alongside male cricketers.
◆ She made her international debut at 15. Van Niekerk was called up to the national team and made her international debut just days before her 16th birthday, in a group match against the West Indies in Newcastle, UK.