The Eastern Cape has stepped up its fight against crime ahead of the festive season, with the launch of Provincial Safety Month and the Safer Festive Season campaign signalling a renewed push for stronger police visibility, coordinated law enforcement and community participation in crime prevention. Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha, officially launched the campaign at Rotary Stadium in Ngangelizwe, OR Tambo District, recently. The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between the South African Police Service (SAPS), law enforcement agencies and community safety structures.
A key highlight of the launch was the unveiling of new police vans and other operational tools by MEC Nqatha and SAPS leadership. The additional resources are expected to bolster police capacity, improve operational readiness and strengthen efforts to combat crime across the province. The deployment of these resources forms part of broader efforts to intensify law enforcement operations and improve police visibility in communities, particularly during a period when increased travel, public gatherings and festive activities can place additional demands on policing services.
The launch brought together National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata, OR Tambo District Municipality Executive Mayor Councillor Mesuli Ngqondwana, King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) councillors, AmaMpondo King Ndlovuyezwe Ndamase, traditional leaders, representatives of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, government officials and civil society organisations. Delivering the keynote address, MEC Nqatha assured the people of the Eastern Cape that the South African Police Service (SAPS) was ready to implement its festive season safety plan. He emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts to prevent crime, improve police visibility and ensure the safety of residents and visitors during the festive season.
Beyond conventional crime prevention, the campaign also placed the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) at the centre of the province’s safety agenda. MEC Nqatha, together with OR Tambo District Municipality Executive Mayor Councillor Mesuli Ngqondwana, presented Certificates of Recognition to individuals and organisations whose work has made a meaningful difference in addressing GBVF. The recipients were acknowledged for their dedication to raising awareness, supporting victims and advancing initiatives aimed at ending gender-based violence and femicide.
The launch further highlighted the Department of Community Safety's ongoing work in community mobilisation, victim empowerment, police oversight and stakeholder partnerships. It also marked the beginning of intensified festive season safety operations across the Eastern Cape, with a focus on crime prevention, law enforcement visibility and community engagement. Under the theme “Musa ukuthula kusonakala” (Do not remain silent when things go wrong), communities are encouraged to break the silence, report criminal activities, support victims and work collectively with law enforcement agencies to build safer communities.
Through this campaign, the Eastern Cape government calls on all residents to play an active role in promoting peace, preventing crime and ensuring a safer festive season for everyone.
