The Lowveld Security Joint Operations Command (JOC) held a show of force in Riverside to assure residents of their presence and commitment to safety on Wednesday, November 19.

According to Frank Swanepoel, the chairperson of the JOC, the exercise aimed to convey to the community that the JOC, in collaboration with the SAPS, stands ready to protect the region.

“Since we are approaching the festive season and criminals will also be doing their ‘shopping’, we had to assure the community that we will keep them safe where we can,” he stated.

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Swanepoel explained the JOC’s origins. “The JOC was established in 2021 during the unrest. We wanted to protect the businesses in the Lowveld region. Various security companies in the Lowveld came together to form the joint operation to protect the businesses, working with other law enforcement agencies. Since then, we have never stopped; we always continue to engage with the community during protests or when there are security concerns in the region or the entire province.”

Swanepoel added that they were also active during the taxi operators’ protest in July 2022. They gathered and verified information, and kept the public informed.

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“We are still intact, working together for one goal – to keep the area that we operate in safe. We are not working above the law, but working with the police. With this parade, we want the public to know that we are still here and still united. We still communicate and work as a team,” he said.

Swanepoel also confirmed that the JOC will be visible during the festive season to keep the region safe and will assist outside the Lowveld if needed.

He thanked all the security companies that attended the show of force for their commitment to keeping the area safe at all times.