10,000 police deployed to curb festive season crime wave

Ten thousand new police officers will be deployed across the country starting December 15th as part of the police ministry’s attempts to counter the sharp annual increase in crime rates experienced over the festive season.

“The holiday season is also a time where criminals sharpen and refine their operations, taking advantage of the festive mood.” said police minister Bheki Cele.

The new officers are expected to graduate from various police academies this week, following their successful completion of the Basic Police Development Learning Program, which consists of street survival courses, firearm, law and physical training.

Part of the ministry’s 2023 Project 10K Police Recruitment Drive, the programme aims to strengthen visible policing across the country. “As the Ministry, we have always maintained that high police visibility remains one of the most powerful arsenals for the SAPS, in the prevention of crime,” said Cele.

“These officers will be deployed to sanitize the streets and increase the footprint of the police in all nine provinces,” said Cele. “Their deployment will be prioritised, especially in high crowd zones and areas of entertainment and leisure, this holiday season,” he added.

This programme aims to counter SAPS’ admitted “shortage of personnel”. According to the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) Crime Hub, there are 145,246 active SAPS personnel.

An increase in personnel is said to be needed year-round, however is crucial during the holiday season where South Africa experiences a sharp increase in crime.

According to Business Leadership South Africa and its subdivision, Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA), “this is attributed to the remarkable increase of cash volumes which leads to armed robberies, burglaries and cash-in-transit (CIT) heists. Alcohol abuse and consumption of recreational drugs also contribute to the spate of violent crimes during this season.”

Security companies, including Trellidor, also highlight phone/bag snatching and hijacking as key crimes that usually skyrocket over the festive season.

In addition, SAPS has implemented a National Safer Festive Season Operational Plan, which identifies its focus areas over the festive season as being on:

• GBV+F
• Combatting serious and violent crime such as aggravated robberies.
• Border security
• Strengthening by-laws
• Road safety
• Illegal mining.

Read: Christmas is a busy time for criminals in South Africa