Purpose of the day by the National Commissioner of the South African PoliceService; General SF Masemola (SOEG) Ministerial Signing of the Cooperation Agreement Friday, 27 September 2024 Eastern Cape; Gqeberha – Issac Wolfson Stadium, Kwazakhele

The Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu;
The Premier of EC, Mr Oscar Mabuyane;
Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale and Ms Polly Boshielo;
The MEC of Community, Mr Xolile Nqata;
The Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Mr Gary Van Niekerk;
All Heads of entities;
Director General of CSPS, Mr Sibuyi;
Deputy National Commissioners of SAPS, Lt Gen Mosikili and Lt Gen Sibiya;
The Provincial Commissioner of EC, Lt Gen Mene;
Leadership of CPF;
Ladies and gentlemen

A very good afternoon

The decision to enter into this cooperation agreement illustrates a desire and dedication by all parties involved to promote peace, stability, as well as a sense of safety and security in this province.
 

This agreement recognises the importance of the promotion and development of cooperation in preventing, combating and investigating crime but most importantly to face these gang wars and extortionists HEAD ON!

The signing of this agreement represents a concerted effort by all spheres of government to jointly address crime challenges plaguing our communities.

This collaboration is about the sharing of technology and resources to move the country forward.

The exchange of information and best practices in policing is about strengthening and sharpening our response to combat serious and violent crime.

The exchange of information on crime that is being planned or committed and the suspects involved will go a long way in assisting us to make this province safer.

The exchange of information of new crime trends will ultimately ensure that we are one step ahead of criminals.

Our collaboration must ensure that the search and tracing of suspects and wanted criminals who are evading criminal prosecution must be hunted down and taken down…

We cannot and we will not allow gangs to rule this province or in any other part of our beautiful country.

Extortionists must face the full might of the law.

This strategic collaboration must ensure resources and capacity is aligned to the problems and challenges our people face.

By each department leveraging off each other’s expertise, as one - we will be able to fight and take downs these gangs and extortionists.

We must support the development of innovative strategies by those who will be putting their heads together to develop and implement joint initiatives.

This partnership is for the people of Eastern Cape. It is for the law abiding men, women, children and vulnerable groups. It is for the realisation of vision 2030, where women walk freely in the streets and children play safely outside. It is to ensure the police service and other law enforcement agencies are well resourced professional institutions that are staffed by highly skilled officers who value their work, serve the community, safeguard lives and property without discrimination, protect the peaceful against violence and respect the rights of all to equality and justice.

The premise to work together to make optimal use of resources from the SAPS, the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and the City working closely with community based and civil society structures is a step in the  right direction.

It is encouraging to note that all government structures will be working together in a coordinated manner to ensure professional service delivery - improved communication, coordination and cooperation

Indeed every community should be mobilised to work with these government structures in the same areas

Indeed if we want to be successful we must work together, we cannot afford to be divided in our approach.

The sharing of information and intelligence must therefore be strengthened and enhanced.

Other agencies must also play a critical role including private security and communities.

This partnership will also assist us to pool our resources and plan together to address the concerns in each area.

Working together as one government and our communities, we will be able to identify the main challenges, and also see where the gaps are so that we can address that together.

Better cooperation is what we fight for!

We must and we will put a stop to the senseless killings of our communities.

We must and should see an end to serious and violent crime in our lifetime.

Since the launch of operation shanela in May 2023, more than 860 000 suspects have been arrested for various crimes ranging from murder, rape and kidnappings.

The recent successes recorded in the Eastern Cape and across the country are a step in the right direction.

We shall and we will continue to clamp down on all forms of criminality with the help of all South Africans from all walks of life. May this partnership lay a foundation for all other metros just like we have already signed with the City of Cape Town, to work closely with the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies including our intelligence structures and private security.

I THANK YOU!