The Amajuba South African Police Service will implement a comprehensive strategy to address the increased risk of criminal activity during the festive holiday period, when many people travel to visit their families.

The initiative, known as the Safer Festive Season operations, aims to ensure the safety and security of all residents.

Key priorities include safeguarding communities, protecting the territorial integrity of the District, combating the illicit economy, and maintaining law and order.

The strategy centres on high-density operations supported by intelligence-driven and highly visible policing designed to reduce crime levels across the District.

All stakeholders will take part in these efforts to promote stability and public safety throughout the festive period, which runs from October 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026.

Stations within the Amajuba District will focus on intelligence-led and high-visibility operations in all identified hotspot areas.

‘Operation Safer Festive Season’ will be executed with the following considerations:

• Stabilising identified crime hotspots within the District
• Intelligence-driven operations
• A multidisciplinary approach to combating and preventing serious and violent crime

The SAPS will follow a structured plan comprising eight focus areas:

• Focus area 1: Campaigns and police actions aimed at preventing crimes against vulnerable groups and addressing gender-based violence and femicide.
• Focus area 2: Combating aggravated robberies, including carjackings and robberies at homes and businesses.
• Focus area 3: Enhancing border security, searching for stolen property and drugs, and tracing wanted suspects.
• Focus area 4: Targeting illicit drug trafficking, illegal mining, and counterfeit or illegal goods.
• Focus area 5: Enforcing legislation relating to firearms, liquor, second-hand goods, and safety at sport and recreational events.
• Focus area 6: Enforcing by-laws relating to hijacked buildings, unlawful trading, and the use of firecrackers.
• Focus area 7: Strengthening road-safety enforcement, including action against drunken driving, speeding, and unroadworthy vehicles. This includes a dedicated project focusing on cloned vehicles, cloned number plates, and vehicles without number plates.
• Focus area 8: Ensuring the safety of tourists at holiday destinations and accommodation facilities, with increased visibility at shopping malls and entertainment venues.

The District has also welcomed 152 newly appointed Constables, who will bolster manpower during the festive-season operations. They will be deployed strategically throughout Amajuba to support the policing efforts.

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