S. African police in full deployment for festive season

Johannesburg, S.Africa | Xinhua | South Africa has escalated the deployment of police officers in various areas to combat crime and ensure people are safe during the festive season and beyond.

“Our apex priority remains the well-being and safety of residents and tourists alike during and beyond this period. Our safer festive season operations which are already in full swing are characterized by heightened crime awareness campaigns, foot, vehicle and air-support patrols, stop and searches, arrests, vehicle checkpoints and roadblocks,” said police national commissioner Fannie Masemola on Friday at a press briefing.

“Maximum resources have already been deployed as we seek to assert the authority of the state, regain public confidence, and ensure that our communities are safe and secure,” Masemola said.

During the festive season, people usually visit various areas including foreign tourists visiting the country.

The police has arrested 141,541 from various crimes from April 1 to Sept. 30, according to Masemola, who added that 2,338 firearms and 36,414 rounds of ammunition were confiscated during the same period.

Masemola also said they have trained 495 police officers this year.

“I wish to assure everyone in the country of our commitment in ensuring that we clamp down on all forms of criminality,” he said.