National Police Commissioner visits Nkomazi
As part of nationwide oversight visits, a delegation including the national police commissioner visited a roadblock, shopping centre and old age home in Nkomazi after Christmas.
NAAS – In an effort to motivate police officers to continue their efforts in making their respective communities safer and to reassure community members, the national commissioner of the SAPS, Gen Khehla Sithole and his entourage visited Nkomazi on December 28.
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Sithole, as well as the provincial commissioner Lt Gen Mondli Zuma and MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Pat Ngomana visited a roadblock near Komatipoort first. Here they observed officers searching vehicles and handed out a number of pamphlets to motorists.
This was followed by a ceremony at Sizalokuhle Old Age Centre in Naas, where hampers were handed to senior citizens. The seniors also enjoyed a cake baked especially for the occasion.
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During the speeches, the Tonga Cluster’s Community Policing Forum chairman, Stanley Madonsela highlighted the challenges faced by the cluster, among others, the daunting task of having to police the borders with Swaziland and Mozambique.
The group’s last stop was the Nkomazi Plaza, where they strolled through the shopping centre and taxi rank to speak to community members and distribute flyers and pamphlets with safety tips from SAPS.
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The SAPS head office delegation visited operations in five provinces over the course of three days to ensure that the SAPS’ six pillar approach in the Back to Basics national festive season operation plan was being implemented effectively.
This includes combating aggravated and armed robberies; the enforcement of the laws on firearms, liquor and second-hand goods; safety at sport and recreational events; crimes against women, children and vulnerable persons; the enforcement of bylaws and road-safety rules; and enhancing border security.
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The plan was launched in Limpopo in October and included roadblocks, stop-and-search operations and patrols in and around townships, malls and beaches.
During the operations, community members were also urged to take extreme caution when going swimming as drownings tend to increase over the summer months.
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People were urged never to go swimming alone, never to let children play in pools, dams or rivers without adult supervision, and never to venture into deep water if they cannot swim adequately.
