Police Minister Bheki Cele says the crime rate reported in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal this festive season is lower compared to that of the previous year.
Cele was addressing the media during his visit to Richards Bay as part of the Safer Festive Season Inspection Tour, to assess the operations of police in the area ahead of New Years Eve.
Cele also conducted a walk-about at places where scores of holiday-makers had converged.
He says the massive deployment of police in malls and shopping centres contributed in ensuring that criminal activities declined.
“We believe that we are much better this year than the other year when it comes to the crime situation . We hope people keep it this way. They did raise concerns especially in malls, that why don’t we close alcohol. We hope people will behave.”
Festive Season I Police Minister Bheki Cele warns on tight security on roads:
Last week Cele confirmed that police officers and members of the Defence Force have been deployed at various points on both the N3 and N2 highways in KwaZulu-Natal to prevent any disruption on these routes.
Cele was at a roadblock at the Mooi River Toll Plaza on the N3 in Midlands. He warned that the security forces are out in full force.
“We made sure that we secure the N3 as you can see that most members are here, the South African Police Service, the SANDF are permanent here on this troublesome toll gate. We do have some on the N2, your Thongathi Plaza and uMfolozi and we are making sure that these areas are not disturbed in terms of the blockage of the road and disturbing of people that are going for holidays. The road blocks is to check if there is no varying of crime.”
