The official launch of the annual South African Police Service (SAPS) Operation Duty was unveiled during the their Festive Season Crime-Fighting campaign on October 23, Thursday at the Mahashini grounds in Wembezi.

The national crime fighting operational plan aimed at making South Africa a safer place to be during the festive season.

The Minister of Police Nkosinathi Nhleko, Deputy Minister of Police Maggie Sotyu and the Police National Commissioner General Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega, commonly known as Riah Phiyega hailed on Umtshezi soil to lead the launch proceedings.

Accompanying them were personnel from all nine provinces in South Africa, to give opportunist criminals, looking to cash-in on this years festive season a friendly warning.

Police say they will be out in full force working around the clock to ensure citizens a peaceful and restful festive season.

The Justice and Crime Prevention Security Cluster (JCPS) also took the opportunity to visit the community of Wembezi.

A pledge was signed by the mayors of Umtshezi and Imbabazane Municipalities well as the Minister of Police and National Police Commissioner to say they fully support the operational plan, which was handed over to the Minister of Police, Nkosinathi Nhleko.