In March this year, South Africa will conclude its year-long commemoration of 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy. This important milestone that started in April last year provided us with an opportunity to reflect on the gains we have made and to envision how best we can build going forward.
With the festive season fast approaching many people are beginning to prepare for Christmas and end of year celebrations. However, this is also the time of year when criminals are on the prowl seeking to prey on their unsuspecting victims.
Throughout the festive season, the South African Police Service (SAPS) will conduct a number of safety and security operations, and these form part of a broader effort to turn the tide against crime.
Everyone loves a great deal, but sometimes a deal is too good to be true. When you are offered goods well below the normal price, there is a good chance that you are unwittingly partaking in the purchase of illicit or counterfeit goods.
Replicas of original or branded products are considered counterfeit goods and their trade is illegal. Counterfeit products are often poorly formulated and pose serious risks to people’s health, safety and our economy.
In August 2023, Norman Sekhukhune, the head of police crime research and statistics, told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police that 31 police officers were killed between April and June 2023. This was almost double the number of officers killed by criminals during the same period in 2022.
In June last year, our country woke up to the tragic news of the death of twenty people suspected of being illegal miners at an unused mine in Orkney, North West. Their premature death was because of an underground fire. This was not the first time that suspected illegal miners commonly known as ’zama zamas’ died in an abandoned mine.
In April 2023, large parts of Tshwane were plunged into darkness for several days following the collapse of the power lines. Upon inspection it was found that three pylons were vandalised, which caused the power lines to collapse.
The widespread theft of copper cable and other forms of metal from public infrastructure threatens to cripple our nation, and has serious real world consequences. Metals theft impacts on power supply, which often plunges suburbs into darkness, it leaves trains unable to operate and causes massive damage to public facilities throughout the country.
A stable and peaceful Africa is the only way to ensure the prosperity for our region and the rest of the continent. South Africa shares the vision of a peaceful and prosperous continent, which contributes to a world that is just and equitable. A world, that will collectively continue to sharpen peaceful intervention of resolving conflicts.
Over the past few weeks communities all over South Africa have been made safer because of the work of various law enforcement agencies, including the army and the police, during Operation Fiela.
