By Johnathan Paoli
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has welcomed the readiness of the South African Police Service for the festive season, with a particular attention on the Western Cape.
Masemola addressed a dedicated group of police officers and stakeholders on Friday during the Ministerial Safer Festive Season Operations visit in Cape Town.
“Most of our members did not take leave to ensure the safety and security of all people living in South Africa. This demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our men and women in blue, and for that, I thank them for honouring their oath of office,” he said.
The event, attended by top officials, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and deputy ministers Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale, served as a platform to reinforce the importance of safety initiatives.
They commended the tireless efforts of law enforcement officers during the busy holiday period.
Masemola began his address by praising police officers across the country for their dedication.
He highlighted the range of operations underway to ensure public safety during the festive season, including roadblocks, tracking and tracing operations, and stop-and-search initiatives.
He emphasised that these measures left “nothing to chance” as officers worked diligently to protect communities.
A significant focus of the address was the Western Cape’s elevated status as a priority region for law enforcement.
Masemola announced that the province received 940 newly trained police constables, the largest share of the 2,699 officers recently deployed nationwide.
“These additional boots on the ground will go a long way in dealing decisively with criminals, particularly those involved in the murders of young people, women, children and vulnerable groups on the Cape Flats,” he said.
The commissioner acknowledged the challenges posed by gang violence in the area, which often resulted in innocent children being caught in the crossfire.
He commended recent successes in combating gang activity, reporting that 36 gangsters were arrested in the past three weeks, and a total of 868 firearms and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition were seized since August.
“I implore each of you officers standing here today to seize even more firearms, ammunition, and drugs this festive season. Together, we can, and we will do more,” Masemola said.
Addressing assembled officers, he stressed the importance of personal safety and operational readiness, providing a checklist of essential practices, including wearing bulletproof vests, ensuring firearms were in working condition, and utilising pepper spray and handcuffs.
He encouraged officers to maintain their vigilance and dedication, and ensure mental and physical fitness.
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