By OBAKENG MAJE
6 December 2024- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said the government has adopted a comprehensive strategy to address the heightened risk of criminal activity due to increased movement of people, especially at the end of the year.
Morweng, who activated the provincial leg of safer festive season operations said, whilst many of the law-abiding citizens are planning festivities with their families away from their homes, criminals are similarly planning on how they will pounce and steal what does not belong to them.
He further said the activation is to ensure that they disrupt and obstruct those plans. Morweng added that the operation they activated in the province will run for 123 days beginning the first of this month to the end of January 2025.
“This will run in conjunction with Operation Shanela, which has been very successful. Criminals have declared war on the state and we are simply accepting the challenge. We are ready and all men and women in blue are hereby given a directive.
“The police must at all times fondly remember their oath. Among others, your guides that you will address the root causes of crime in the community. It also guides that you will prevent any action which may threaten the safety or security of any community member,” he said.
Morweng said as they do so, they should remember at all times to uphold the constitution and abide by the rule of law. He said they should ensure all law-abiding citizens are and feel safe and live in a secure environment.
“Carry out your responsibility with integrity and dignity and never dishonour and degrade the image of the police. Wear your uniform with pride and treat everyone courteously and respectfully, whilst ensuring laws of the Republic are obeyed.
“As you carry out your responsibilities, you will rile many people who will accuse you of all kinds of things. Remember that yours is not just a career, but a duty to the nation. As you weather the storm of the critics, take to heart the words of an ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius, whose words still resonate today,” said Morweng.
He also reminded the police that while many will see and applaud their excellence, many others will criticize and accuse them of ineptness. Morweng said Confucius once said: “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it”.
“Don’t expect and wait for the applause because even the best performers are often not admired. Don’t wait for an ovation and expect praises because you will wait in perpetuity as no criminal will praise a police officer for work well done.
“It’s going to be a long four months, but we trust in your ability to ensure the citizens are safe. We trust in you to ensure that all criminals speak ill of you whilst holiday makers speak well of you. In you, we trust that your discipline will stand you in good stead in the face of provocation and vexation,” he said.
The Guardian 