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23 December 2008

This is the unequivocal message from the Minister for Safety and Security, Nathi Mthethwa who is criss-crossing the country monitoring festive police operations. Criminals and their bosses should take note that this is not a process or a phase but an ongoing determined and focused attack on them and their criminality.

The minister who returned to the Western Cape on Monday where he participated in several operations in and around Cape Town, is today visiting the Eastern Cape, extends his sincere appreciation to the Crime Intelligence division, National Intervention unit and other members of the South African Police Service for the formidable successes achieved in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in particular during the last 48 hours.

The minister was referring to the successful prevention of four armed robberies by large groups of heavily armed men most of who were arrested by the police. At the outset of his appointment, the minister emphasised the role of crime intelligence and the role of the co-operation of communities with the police in combating the identified priority of violent and organised crime. In the light of all this, the minister is confident that this current trend will not only continue, but will from time to time even be intensified as and when necessary.

Enquiries:
Trevor Bloem
Cell: 082 778 3561

Issued by: Secretariat of Safety and Security
23 December 2008