The EMPD officially launched its Festive Season Safety Campaign in Kempton Park.

This marks the start of intensified operations to ensure public safety and stability during the upcoming G20 Summit and the festive period.

The campaign focuses on visible policing, crime prevention, and traffic law enforcement, with the aim of curbing reckless behaviour on the roads and maintaining law and order across the CoE.

The event was attended by CoE Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Safety Sizakele Masuku and other departmental heads.

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As part of the launch, the EMPD unveiled a new fleet of 68 vehicles, comprising 50 VW Polos, 10 GTIs, and eight VW motorbikes, to strengthen the department’s capacity for crime prevention, traffic enforcement, and service delivery.

The new fleet will enable metro police officers to respond swiftly and efficiently to incidents and complaints from the public.

In his address, Xhakaza reaffirmed the city’s firm stance against criminal activity.

“The CoE is not a playground for lawlessness. Those who break the law will face the full might of justice,” said Xhakaza.

Masuku cautioned officers against the misuse of the new vehicles, stressing that they represent the city’s commitment to improved service delivery and quicker response times.

“These vehicles are trusted by our communities to enhance efficiency and ensure timely responses. Misuse will not be tolerated,” said Masuku.

She further urged residents and motorists to prioritise safety during the festive season.

“During this period of joy and goodwill, we urge everyone to act responsibly and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent accidents and fatalities,” Masuku added.

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The EMPD also extended its best wishes to residents for a safe and peaceful festive period under the slogan, “Your safety is our concern.”

Masuku welcomed the addition of the fleet, describing it as a timely intervention ahead of the high-risk holiday season.

“This intervention could not have come at a better time, considering that crime levels often rise during the festive period. We have already devised a plan to utilise these vehicles optimally to ensure our residents enjoy a safer festive season and beyond,” said Masuku.