Cabinet has commended the signing of the Cooperation Agreement to Combat Crime in the Western Cape.

The agreement enhances collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders to address safety and security concerns.

Signed last Friday, the agreement paves the way for sharing technology and resources, information, and best practice to improve the state of public policing.

‘Through community-driven initiatives, the integration of resources and the development of innovative strategies, the agreement allows for a united front between the South African Police Service (SAPS), the province and communities to combat crime and promote public safety,’acting Minister in The Presidency, Maropene Ramokgopa said during a post Cabinet media briefing.

Ramokgopa reiterated government’s warning against crime, fraud and corruption.

‘Government has zero-tolerance for crime, fraud and corruption; and will hold those who violate the laws of the country accountable. Cabinet remains determined to ensure that South Africa is
a society where all people feel safe; and the recent arrests and conviction of suspects involved in various serious crimes demonstrates the commitment to push back against crime,’ Ramokgopa said at the briefing held in Cape Town on Thursday.

READ | Criminals will face full might of the law – President Ramaphosa

Quarterly crime statistics

Cabinet also noted the increase in contact crimes in the latest quarterly crime statistics for the first quarter from April to June 2024, which indicated that more still needs to be done to ensure every citizen feels safe.

Ramokgopa said the SAPS, led by the Ministry of Police, is actively fighting these crimes through recent operations, including a confrontation with suspects in Milnerton, Cape Town, resulting in fatalities and arrests and operations in the Eastern Cape focusing on Mthatha and Nelson Mandela Bay. Arrests related to extortion activities have also been made in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Free State.

‘Government is implementing a whole government approach,
including signing cooperative agreements with provincial and local governments; rolling out operational plans in Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay, with plans to replicate in all metros; [and] engaging with sister departments to improve collaboration against crime.’

READ | SA’s crime figures “tell sobering story”

National Policing Policy

The Minister also announced that the National Policing Policy is set to be completed and adopted by the end of October 2024. It will address issues such as police stations and infrastructure based on norms and standards.

The policy will serve as an overarching framework for policing and will accommodate the provincial needs and priorities in line with section 206 (1) and (2) of the Constitution.

Source: South African Government News Agency