Pretoria - It’s all systems go for the 35th annual Crime Stoppers International (CSI) Conference, which is to be hosted by Crime Line and the South African Police Service (SAPS), in Cape Town, next week.
Hosted in Africa for the first time, Crime Stoppers is an international body that is active in over 26 countries around the world through programmes that are driven by the anonymous tip-offs that are passed on to law enforcement.
The four-day conference, which will be held in Cape Town from 12 - 15 October, will attract hundreds of local and foreign delegates.
It will offer delegates a comprehensive look at crime globally, but with actions and solutions that they can take home.
The conference, which will see some 60 top local and foreign speakers cover a variety of topics, will be held under the theme 'It's Time'.
These include World Trafficking; Crimes Against Economies; Environmental Crimes; Corruption; Associated Crimes and Skills Development.
National Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko and National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega will officially open the conference on Monday morning together with the President of CSI, Alex MacDonald, from Bermuda.
Among the speakers will be US Secret Service officer Michael Burgin who will talk about “The Evolution of Cyber Crime,” while the Stanley Jacobs from the London Community Rehabilitation Company (UK Probation Service) will address “Integrated Offender Management”.
Other delegates will include cabinet ministers such as Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa, Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula, Deputy Police Minister Magdalene Sotyu, the Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela, Head of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), Vas Soni, and the recently appointed commissioner for SARS Tom Moyane.
National Police Commissioner Phiyega said it was important to bring the various partners in the fight against crime together and to strengthen the partnerships at all levels.
“We also want to use the conference to network and to share our experiences and expertise. We all need to work together to fight crime.”
Head of Crime Line and chairman of the conference organising committee, Yusuf Abramjee, said registrations are still open and he appealed to “anyone who wanted to create a safer South Africa and a safer world to join the global movement and register for the conference”.
“It was necessary for everyone to join hands and to take the fight against crime to the next level. Please join us and register before the Thursday deadline. We have a special rate of R3 850 for local delegates.”
A special Scholarship Programme has also been established for the conference. It will see about 100 civilian crime fighters attending the conference - thanks to the generous support from companies.
The scholarship programme is assisting law enforcement, including representatives from community policing forums and NGOs to attend the conference.
For conference and registration details, visit www.crimestoppers-conference2014.com. – SAnews.gov.za
