Cops on the beat during festive season

Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole yesterday vowed to paint the country blue this festive season, speaking at the 2021/2022 annual National Safer Festive Season Operations under the theme “Extending Our Reach Through Blue Light Visibility”.

Sitole said the focus would be on visible policing, conducting special crime awareness and prevention operations targeted at crimes prevalent during this period, including crimes against women and children.

“Having determined possible crime threats over this period, the national crime forum identified six priority areas, which include intensifying police actions on the prevention of crime on vulnerable groups and on gender-based violence, as well as the prioritisation of the crimes against women and other vulnerable persons.

“Our second focus will be the combating of aggravated robberies, which include carjacking and robberies,” he said.

Sitole said the SA Police Services (Saps) would enhance their border security as a third focus area. “This will be characterised by operations on suspicions of stolen property, smuggled goods, human trafficking and tracing of wanted suspects,” he said.

“Our fourth focus area is the enforcement of the legislation with the intention to deal with illegal firearms. The fifth and sixth focus areas will be our partnership with other law enforcement agencies.”

Sitole said the Saps would be working with the metro police and the traffic police.

“Our focus area will also be the enhancement of road safety, especially when it comes to drinking and driving and adhering to the speed limits on the roads,” he said.

“We will also ensure the enforcement of the bylaws and will be targeting the hijacking of buildings and the unlawful sale of firecrackers.”