GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Eastern Cape MEC for Community Safety and Transport, Xolile Nqatha, officially launched Safety Month 2025 and unveiled the Sarah Baartman District Safer Festive Season Operational Plan for 2025/2026 in Graaff-Reinet on 5 November.
The event opened with a captivating display by members of the South African Police Service Drill Unit, whose precision and discipline drew enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
This was followed by the Mounted Unit, whose dignified presence on horseback will help bring control and community engagement during the busy holiday period.
The Dog Unit also impressed with demonstrations of obedience, tracking and detection, showcasing the critical role of canine policing in crime prevention.
Adding an educational element, the Public Order Policing Unit conducted a live crowd management display, illustrating non-violent tactics and formation strategies used to maintain safety during large public gatherings.
Fully ready
Addressing the gathering, the Acting District Commissioner of the Sarah Baartman Municipality, Brigadier Asogran Naidoo, declared the district’s full state of readiness for the festive season.
He emphasised collaboration with stakeholders to combat serious and violent crimes - particularly gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), armed robberies, illicit economic activities, and wildlife trafficking.
Unity creates strength
Head of the Department of Community Safety, Frank Mbambo, highlighted the importance of unity in tackling seasonal crime spikes.
“Without holding hands and making sure we deal with criminality during this period, we will face serious challenges such as alcohol abuse and domestic violence,” he said.
“The community is at the core of fighting corruption and criminality. We must work together - the justice cluster and communities alike.”
Mbambo further reiterated the campaign’s theme, “Musa ukuthula kusonakala” (Do not keep quiet when things go wrong), calling for active community involvement and vigilance.
Operational plan
Unveiling the operational plan, Naidoo noted that it focuses on the root causes of community pain.
The strategy includes targeted operations on liquor outlets, curbing underage drinking, stop-and-search initiatives, and efforts against drug dealing, illegal firearms, undocumented persons, and gender-based violence.
Road safety will also be a priority, with intensified traffic monitoring and roadblocks along major routes including the N2, N9, N10 and R72, which have seen high accident rates.
The province will deploy a robust traffic policing and road safety strategy to reduce fatalities during the festive period.
‘Ons bring jou die nuutste Tuinroete, Hessequa, Karoo nuus’
