Police Minister Bheki Cele on Monday instructed law enforcement agencies to make the stay of all visitors, including delegates from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) memorable by protecting them.
“Make the world that is descending here to say, indeed, South Africa is the place to be,” Cele said.
Addressing law enforcement officers deployed at the BRICS Summit at Innesfree Park in Sandton, Cele encouraged the officers to make people feel comfortable; make their trip enjoyable and also make them want to come back to South Africa.
He told the officers that they should not be scared, but be ready to protect people coming to the Summit.
“We are not scared; we are absolutely not scared; nobody should be scared. You are commanded to go and do your best for the country,” he said.
Various law enforcement agencies, which includes the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, the Ekhuruleni Metro Police Department, members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and security companies are among the law enforcement agencies deployed to ensure the safety of BRICS delegates.
“What is expected of you is to show that every person visiting and every citizen is safe. Approach situations and people here with friendly faces. You are not here just for security, you are ambassadors,” Cele said.
Cele told the officers that they should not hesitate to deal with those who break the law.
“Operation Shanela is bearing positive results. We have arrested many criminals and the operation will continue even after the Summit,” he said.
Cele said since Operation Shanela was launched, the police have arrested 99 754 criminals.
“We have upped our levels; we have upped our game. We have pushed up the capabilities,” he said.
The summit which will be hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre from tomorrow is expected to be attended by over 40 Heads of State, scores of government representatives, as well as local and international dignitaries.
Last week, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said it is confident that South Africa will host the 15th BRICS Summit successfully.
“Working closely with all stakeholders, NATJOINTS will thus heighten police visibility in and around the conference centre, with the aim of preventing and combating any form of opportunistic crime, pre-, during and post the summit.
“We have mobilised maximum resources from all government departments involved in the planning of this particular event.
“Together with the various law enforcement agencies, including the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) and Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), we are executing and implementing the security plan accordingly, which will include more boots on the ground,” said Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, the Deputy National Commissioner responsible for Policing at the time. – SAnews.gov.za
