Picture: SAPS hosts integrated crime and violence prevention strategy/Supplied
By AGISANANG SCUFF
23 July 2026 – The South African Police Service (SAPS) National Head Office: Organisational Development and Strategic Management hosted an Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy (ICVPS) work session at the Kimberley SAPS Gymnasium in the Frances Baard District on Monday. The SAPS said Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy has been identified as a national priority by the acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia during a Parliamentary briefing held on 17 February 2026.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said in response to this directive, the SAPS National Head Office: Organisational Development and Strategic Management embarked on a nationwide rollout of awareness and capacity-building sessions to outline the objectives of the Strategy and the expectations for priority police stations. Shemane said the work session was facilitated by Brigadier Sandra Pillay and Colonel Jenny Ganess from SAPS National Head Office: Organisational Development and Strategic Management.
“Among those in attendance, were the Provincial Head for Organisational Development and Strategic Management, Brigadier Merle Coghlan, the Provincial Head: Proactive Policing, Brigadier Irene Kopaledi, senior SAPS officers, Station Commanders and Detective Branch Commanders from the Frances Baard, John Taolo Gaetsewe and Namakwa Districts.
“The workshop focused on the six strategic pillars of the ICVPS, such as an effective criminal justice system, early intervention to prevent crime and violence and promote safety, victim support, effective and integrated service delivery for safety, security and violence prevention,” he said.
Shemane further said this includes crime prevention through environmental design and active public and community participation. He added that the strategy is informed by the White Paper on Safety and Security (2016), which gives effect to the vision of safe communities as articulated in the National Development Plan 2030.
Shemane said it envisions communities where people feel safe at home, at school in the workplace and in public spaces, where women can move freely without fear, and where children can play safely. He said that the ICVPS provides a framework to guide the implementation of a comprehensive, holistic and integrated approach to community safety, crime prevention and violence reduction.
“It’s further advocates for a collaborative approach involving state and non-state stakeholders across all three spheres of government to strengthen integrated planning, coordinated service delivery and meaningful partnerships with communities and civil society.
“SAPS remains committed to service excellence and continues to promote collaboration in building safer communities through proactive crime prevention initiatives, information sharing, violence prevention and community empowerment,” said Shemane.
The Guardian 