ZWELITSHA – The MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Mr Xolile Nqatha and the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene launched the Province’s Safer Festive operations yesterday, 28 November 2022, in Mdantsane.
The Province showcased their resources and manpower in readiness for policing during the festive period. This year’s Safer Festive Season Operations are being held under the theme of ‘More boots on the ground towards enhanced police visibility’. The launch will now see intensified police visibility, effective immediately up to and including 31 January 2023.
The Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson for SAPS Mdantsane, Mr Ndinisa in delivering his message of support added that ‘in the spirit of community policing we all need to come together in solving our problems and crime. We must establish a partnership between police and community. This community has been blessed with new vehicles for improving service delivery to our communities. ‘
The keynote address was delivered by the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Mr Nqatha. He encouraged all stakeholders and community members to join hands against the abuse of women and children. He added that, “Government alone cannot eradicate crime without the support of the general populace. The high rate of crime and lawlessness calls upon us to mobilize all stakeholders for crime prevention. As criminal activities take place in our communities, you are duty bound to report it to the police for the latter to apply the law. It is a known fact that criminals do not fall from the sky, they our children, brothers and sisters. As parents, we must ask our children unemployed as they might be, where they get money to buy new clothes etc. Let us build family values by exposing crime in our communities. The launch of the Safer Festive Month campaign is part of our strategies and plans to reduce crime during this festive period.”
The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Mene in closing extended her gratitude to the MEC, Mr Nqatha for his support to the SAPS in the Province. She urged the communities to be vigilant especially during this time of the year when lots of money exchange hands – she was referring to stokvels and bonuses. “Be wise and arrange for your stokvels to be transferred into your bank accounts. Never discuss the withdrawals with people as they know your business because they are living among you. Violence against women and children is a major concern. This Province has seen gruesome murders of children by their parents. Parents, take care, of your children. Those that are in charge of the initiation schools, please take care of the initiates. Make sure, that they return to their families, healthy. I appeal to you to report crime in your area. Don’t shield the drug lords. We as the SAPS make a commitment on the objectives of the Safer Festive season plans by deploying maximum resources to ensure the safety of everyone in this Province including our tourists,” added Lt Gen Mene.
At total of 32 police vehicles were also handed to four districts (Chris Hani, Sarah Baartman, Amathole and Buffalo City Metro) to enhance policing in their hotspot areas.
A detailed operational plan was handed over to the MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Mr Nqatha to solidify the readiness of the SAPS for its Safer Festive Season operations across the Eastern Cape Province.

Source: South African Police Service