Crime

SAPS launches Safer Festive Season campaign to curb crime in Mpumalanga

SAPS has launched its Safer Festive Season operations to intensify safety and crime-prevention efforts across Mpumalanga.

November 5, 2025
Wayne van der Walt Less than a minute
Police officer lies on the ground after being shot during a simulated robbery, while another officer arrests the suspect and escorts him to a police van in Ermelo.
An officer plays the role of a shooting victim as police arrest a suspect and take him to a van during the Safer Festive Season simulation in Ermelo. Photo: Wayne van der Walt

ERMELO – The SAPS has officially launched its 2025/26 Safer Festive Season operations at the Mpumalanga Stadium, signalling the start of a province-wide campaign to strengthen policing during the holidays.

The event, attended by MEC for Community Safety Jackie Macie and acting provincial police commissioner Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, focused on combating gender-based violence, hijackings, robberies and other serious crimes.

The South African flag flutters during the Safer Festive Season parade in Ermelo, framed between two blurred police officers in the foreground.
The South African flag flies high during the Safer Festive Season parade, Photo: Wayne van der Walt

Mkhwanazi emphasised the importance of visibility and intelligence-led policing, while Macie urged residents to work closely with law enforcement.

A pledge against gender-based violence and femicide was also signed.

See all the photos: HERE

A fleet of vehicles was handed over to boost operational capacity in key areas.

Read more about this in this week’s Highvelder.

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
November 5, 2025
Wayne van der Walt Less than a minute

Wayne van der Walt

Wayne van der Walt, with around 15 years in the media industry, is editor of Highvelder Newspaper. His accolades include Frewin Awards for Newspaper of the Year and Front Page of the Year, and FCJ Photographer of the Year, among other honours.

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