POLOKWANE – In gearing up for the launch of the Safer Festive Season operations in Limpopo province, the Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe joined by the  top management of the South African Police Service in the province including Capricorn District in hosting an Imbizo in Mankweng on Tuesday 18 October 2022.

The community engagement which was held at Paledi shopping mall, was preceded by a visit to Molamo secondary school where senior managers engaged with the learners on crucial topics such as bullying, the dangers of substance abuse, theft, possession of dangerous weapons and gender-based violence.

The imbizo formed part of build-up activities for the launch of Safer Festive Season operations, aimed at tightening the grip on crime during the festive period and to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors of Limpopo Province. The management also continued with their ongoing programs to engage with the community on issues pertaining to crime, service delivery and client satisfaction.

Speakers included ward counsellors, traditional leaderships, religious leaders and social workers who appealed to the community and other stakeholders to hold hands with police in the fight against gender-based violence and other related crimes.

The entourage led by the Provincial Commissioner further conducted a walkabout in the shopping mall where they interacted with members of the community and distributed safety tips pamphlets.

The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe in her address, said it’s her responsibility to ensure members are equipped and render an effective service delivery to the community and that the safety of all people in this province remains a police priority. She warned motorists and community members to be vigilant during the festive period as most of the roads will be congested with traffic and a lot of places crowded as a result of visitors and tourists.

She also assured maximum police visibility, that big stations such as Mankweng, Lebowakgomo and others require a lot of assistance from the community who must be the police’s eyes and ears, ensure that Street Committees, Community Policing forums, Community in Blue and other community crime prevention based structures are well established and actively involved. In conclusion, the Provincial Commissioner highlighted the official launch of Traditional Policing Concept in the province, which its main objective is to strengthen partnership between the police and traditional leaders in the fight against crime. Members of the community were also urged to report cases of gender based violence to the police immediately and assist to end the scourge.

The Provincial Commissioner will proceed to Thohoyandou on 19 October 2022, where the official launch of the festive season operations will be conducted to hold a stakeholder engagement as a build-up event to the main event.

Source: South African Police Service