Safe festive campaign in full effect

The MMC for Public Safety Mgcini Tshwaku has officially launched the Safer Festive Season campaign at Witkoppen and Winnie Mandela Drive on December 1. He said with this newly launched safety campaign, their priority as law enforcement is to ensure that residents in Johannesburg are extra safe during the festive season.

Tshwaku explained to the police officers in the presence of the media what he expects of them. He said he understands fighting crime is not an easy task, however, he appreciates the work that the police officers have done throughout the year.

“We already know that one of the issues that people usually complain about, is the issue of crime, the enforcement of the by-laws, and not forgetting the traffic law enforcement, of course. You need to arrest people because you are not arresting people. I don’t know what’s wrong; especially the drunkards, they need to be arrested and you must have a lot of roadblocks and everywhere you turn. There must be police, and checking the licence disks and the roadworthy of the cars.”

He also highlighted that with more police visibility, serious crimes, such as cash in transit as well as murder are unlikely to happen. In fact, he said they must not happen.

“There must be no crime. We rely on you to ensure that the citizens of Johannesburg are safe. And do not be scared to use those rifles if a gun is pointed at the police.”

Tshwaku promised the officers that they would be with them every step of the way as the office of public safety in Johannesburg.

“So we are going to be working the whole festive season. I know that from now until the 16th and 17th it will die down a bit but the crime will still be continuing. So we expect that there must be operations and operations.”

While touching on the issue of compliance, he said there must be no stones left unturned.

“Don’t do compliance only in the townships; we must also go to Sandton because there are so many clubs there that are not complying at all. So, what we do in the townships must also be done here and let us be seen everywhere.”

JMPD’s Xolani Fihla said public drinking, open fires, and general conduct are some of the most important by-laws that would be checked.

“But in places of entertainment and operation, certificates of alcohol will be checked and we will also be working with the city’s Emergency Management Services to check and inspect the buildings and environmental health issues like the food that they serve to customers.”

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