Johannesburg - At least 32 000 SA Police Service (SAPS) officers, supplemented by 2 000 police trainees would be spread across Gauteng to fight crime during the festive season, provincial police commissioner, Major General Deliwe De Lange, said on Wednesday.
She said crime hotspots had been identified and police teams allocated to man these areas.
“We have also identified at least 17 shopping malls plagued by car theft, areas frequented for alcohol and drugs have also been prioritised. We want the public to enjoy safe shopping and banking…we want a crime-free life for Gauteng citizens,” she said at the launch of the province’s safety programme over the festive season, held at recently opened Mall of Africa in Midrand.
“We will manage this festive season effectively through uncompromising security measures and limiting crime in general. We will be covering all areas for 24 hours every day.”
The 32 000 officers would include officers working as office administrators who would be required to vacate their office work and hit the streets. The students would be operating alongside the officers and under their supervision, she said.
Roadblocks and stop-and-search operations would be conducted with assistance by at least 13 000 metro police officers.
Earlier this year, the Mall of Africa saw deadly clashes between rival taxi associations fighting for the lucrative new route. In May‚ three people were shot and wounded, and in July, two taxi owners were shot and killed at the taxi rank near the mall.
De Lange said the public could be assured of safe shopping at the mall.
“We have made breakthroughs and arrested people on charges of murder and attempted murder, investigations still continue. I can now say that this mall is now one of the safest malls with many officers deployed here. I can assure the public that they will be protected when they come here.”
African News Agency