President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to steer clear of corruption and adopt a comprehensive, proactive approach to tackling crime.
Addressing delegates at the opening of the inaugural Police Summit in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, the president emphasized the importance of restoring public trust and optimising policing efficiency in the country. The three-day summit, held under the theme "Efficiency in Action: Optimising South Africa’s Policing Potential," brings together stakeholders to reflect on current policing strategies and explore more effective methods to combat South Africa’s persistent crime crisis.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi warned that failure to curb crime could have dire consequences for the country's future.
“If we can’t defeat crime, Mr. President, we must kiss our country goodbye,” Lesufi stated. “We will struggle to attract investment or tourism, and families are even considering emigrating due to rising violence. Crime is the number one issue we must confront head-on.”
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola expressed cautious optimism, citing recent crime statistics that reflect a slight decline. He said operational police officers had been directed to take a more assertive stance against criminal elements.
“Our goal is to bring criminals to justice,” said Masemola. “But if they choose to challenge the police, then officers have a duty to fight back. We are not where we want to be yet, but we’re on the right path, aiming for a 50 percent reduction in crime as set out in our strategic directives.”
The summit will continue over the next two days, focusing on collaboration, innovation, and solutions to improve public safety and build community trust.