| INTERPOL Geiger Working Group convened in Cape Town to strengthen regional radiological response | |
|---|---|
| Date Published: | 2025/10/09 |
| Description Details: | |
Media Statement
WESTERN CAPE - From 7 to 9 October 2025, Cape Town, in collaboration with the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) for South Africa, hosted a pivotal meeting of the Law Enforcement Support Programme, Geiger Working Group, which focused on the theme of “Response” to radiological and nuclear threats. Organised under the auspices of INTERPOL’s Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Unit (RNTPU), the gathering took place at the Lagoon Hotel & Spa in Milnerton and brought together law enforcement, technical, and intelligence representatives from eleven Southern African nations. The Geiger Working Group meeting formed part of RNTPU’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional collaboration on radiological crime prevention and response. Delegates from Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe convened to exchange intelligence, present national practices, and coordinate cross-border strategies. INTERPOL’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives & Vulnerable Targets (CBRNE & VT) Sub-Directorate led the initiative, with the RNTPU serving as the specialised unit dedicated to building a capable and globally connected law enforcement community able to counter radiological and nuclear security threats. Through the Geiger Working Groups, the RNTPU pursued four core objectives: enhancing intelligence exchange among member states, offering targeted analytical and investigative support, building law enforcement capacity, and facilitating global-level engagement. These regional working groups provided a secure platform for participating countries to share information on emerging threats, modus operandi, and lessons learned from past incidents, thereby strengthening collective preparedness and resilience. The Cape Town meeting marked the third phase of the regional Geiger dialogue, following earlier sessions that focused on “Prevention” (Windhoek, Namibia, April 2023; Zanzibar, October 2023) and “Detection” (Harare, October 2024; Pretoria, May 2025). This phase, centred on “Response”, included scenario-based, facilitated discussions that simulated radiological incident responses. Delegates examined how national systems, legal frameworks, multi-agency coordination, and investigative protocols operated during such incidents. Key objectives included promoting information sharing related to the security of radiological and nuclear materials, clarifying how RNTPU could assist investigations into crimes involving such materials, discussing emerging threats, trends, and incident case studies, and strengthening coordinated response mechanisms across the region. These discussions promoted mutual learning, enhanced operational readiness, and ensured more effective coordination in the event of radiological incidents. INTERPOL’s Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Unit continued to anchor the Geiger Working Group initiative within its broader Law Enforcement Support Programme, promoting risk assessment, training, and collaboration across borders. Insights gained from the Cape Town session are expected to feed into future Geiger planning, helping shape the global strategy for Prevention, Detection, Response, and Investigation of radiological crimes. Participating nations returned home better equipped to detect, investigate, and respond to evolving radiological and nuclear threats through shared expertise and strengthened partnerships.
Ends
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService | |
| Additional content: | |
| Attachments: | |