South Africa intensifies fight against organised crime syndicates, scores breakthroughs
The South African government has declared war on organised crime syndicates making major breakthroughs in efforts to make safer spaces across the country.
In a statement on the cabinet meeting of Wednesday, 21 August 2024, South Africa ‘ s newly appointed multiparty cabinet welcomed the arrest of a 40-year-old suspect believed to be one of the ringleaders behind a kidnapping-for-ransom syndicate that is targeting businesspeople in South Africa.
“He is also suspected to be a key figure in the R300 million crystal meth drugs seized recently at the Johannesburg suburbs of Fourways and in Bruma. This arrest underscores government’s commitment to decisively deal with organised crime,” the statement said.
In addition, cabinet also gave support the deployment of multi-disciplinary law enforcement teams to deal with the high crime rate situation that is prevailing in the Eastern Cape.
The multidisciplinary teams include anti- organised crime,specialised operations and intelligence operatives.
The new cabinet reiterated to law enforcement that communities cannot be held ransom by criminals.
Cabinet also welcomed the arrest of the suspect found in possession of 34 passports by the Border Management Agency’s (BMA) at the lebombo Port of Entry to Mozambique.
“This is part of continued efforts to stem out illegal immigration criminal syndicates that seek to undermine our border controls and immigration laws,” the statement read.
Fighting crime, cabinet say, remains a shared responsibility between the police,
communities and all sectors and the Cabinet continues urged citizens to work with law-enforcement agencies to combat crime in communities.
