Pretoria: A five-day strategic session to develop a comprehensive plan to prevent and combat transnational organised crime is underway in Pretoria. This session has brought together key stakeholders in the fight against crime, as well as various security experts, with the aim of ensuring that organised criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, the proliferation of firearms, the influx of illegal immigrants, cybercrime, and theft of vehicles, amongst other transnational organised crimes, are dismantled.
According to South African Police Service, the meeting commenced on Monday, 03 March 2025, and concludes on Friday, 07 March 2025. It aims to enhance regional cooperation and develop effective measures to combat transnational organised crime in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
During the opening session, General Fannie Masemola emphasised the need for better cooperation, resources, technology, and commitment from various stakeholders to intensify the fight against transnational organised crime. General Masemola highlighted recent successes achieved in the region by the SAPS, such as the arrest of more than 20 drug traffickers at OR Tambo International Airport in the last six months and the confiscation of millions worth of drugs across the country as a step in the right direction.
General Masemola stated, “We must emerge from this session with a solid plan that will see us strengthen border control measures and intelligence sharing, deploy advanced technology to prevent and combat transnational organised crime, as well as enhance collaboration with regional and international law enforcement agencies.”
The session includes participation from key stakeholders such as Advocate Vusi Pikoli, Advisor of the Minister of Police; Dr. Michael Masiapato, Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA); Lieutenant General (Adv/Dr) Godfrey Lebeya, National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI); and Deputy National Commissioners Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili and Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya.
As part of this strategy, SAPS aims to strengthen intelligence-led policing, improve border security, enhance training and capacity building, and foster trust with local communities to gather intelligence and promote mutually beneficial working relations.