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6 Jun 2011

The Minister of Police in South Africa, Mr Nathi Mthethwa and his counterpart General Le Hong Anh, Minister of Public Security of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam today held very positive discussions at Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria, followed by a signing of a Letter of Intent on police cooperation between South Africa and People Republic of Vietnam.

The discussions centred on a desire to further promote cooperation between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in preventing, combating and investigating crime, recognising the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational organised crime.

“We further agreed to enhance various ways of consolidating and exchanging of working experience, information necessary to combat crime as well as exploring further mechanisms to cooperate. We shall assist each other in the field of combating crime in accordance with the domestic law of our countries as well as our international obligations,” stated Minister Mthethwa. 

Minister General Le Hong Anh echoed the same sentiments in relation to cooperating in the investigation of organised crimes facing both countries. “We believe it is important that both South Africa and Vietnam cooperate in preventing, combating and investigating crime, including, but not limited to organised crime, including organised environmental crime and corruption.”

This signed Letter of Intent further encompasses cooperation of trafficking in stolen goods, including motor vehicles, diamond trafficking, drug trafficking, trafficking in persons and money laundering. It also includes illicit trafficking in firearms, ammunition, explosives, toxic substances, including nuclear, chemical and biological materials.

Criminal syndicates globally are becoming sophisticated but through this cooperation, law enforcement agencies from both countries will be able to apprehend such syndicates. “We are also intent on cooperating in the areas of production and sale of forged banknotes, securities, identity documents and other forged or falsified documents. We shall also work together around cyber crime, crimes related to intellectual property rights as well as crimes related to child pornography,” added Minister Mthethwa.

One of the crucial issues discussed during this morning’s meeting centred on the public order policing. Both ministries undertook to cooperate in this field and training of staff.  They shall also cooperate in preventing and suppressing terrorist acts in accordance with the domestic law in force in their countries and their international obligations.

Both ministries shall also exchange information on working experience in respect of criminology, police and forensic sciences, including personnel training courses and victim support programmes. Furthermore working closely to assist each other during investigations and searching for persons who are evading criminal prosecution or execution of a sentence and also for persons who are reported missing. 

“We also intend to exchange information relating to crimes which are being planned or have been committed and relating to persons and organisations involved in such crimes.  Furthermore, exchange information on persons involved in organised crime, their linkages, the structure of the criminal groups and their modus operandi,” concluded Minister General Le Hong Anh.

Both ministries realise that crime is a global challenge and phenomenon; therefore it is crucial that countries cooperate, share best police practices in order to defeat this global scourge. 

Enquiries:
Zweli Mnisi
Spokesperson to the Minister and Deputy Minister of Police in South Africa
Cell: 082 045 4024

Lieutenant Luc Anh Tuan
Spokesperson from the Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam
Cell: 084 986 067 588

Issued by: South African Police Service
6 Jun 2011

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