The South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced an intensified crime-fighting strategy ahead of the festive season, with increased police deployments, intelligence-led operations and targeted interventions at high-crime policing precincts among its priorities.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane outlined the strategy on Monday during the national launch of the Safer Festive Season 2026/2027 operations at Kwabokweni Stadium in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
The operations will focus on preventing violent crime, dismantling organised criminal networks, tackling hijackings and aggravated robberies, recovering illegal firearms and strengthening security at borders and major transport routes.
Police will also intensify efforts to combat human trafficking, smuggling, illicit liquor and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) during a period when increased travel, tourism and public gatherings place additional demands on law enforcement.
Dimpane said the operations would be guided by an intelligence-led, proactive and coordinated policing approach, supported by five operational priorities designed to prevent crime and improve public safety.
These include high-density policing and crime prevention, combating serious and organised crime, road safety and transport security, protecting tourism destinations and public spaces, and strengthening community partnerships and victim support.
“Our mission is clear: every person must be able to travel, work, worship, celebrate and return home safely,” Dimpane said.
The acting commissioner said police resources and personnel had been enhanced to strengthen deployments and frontline policing across the country.
Particular attention will be given to policing precincts experiencing persistent crime, with targeted interventions intended to address recurring criminal activities, improve investigations and make police stations more accessible and responsive to communities.
The strategy also seeks to improve the quality of police services, with operational performance assessed throughout the festive season.
All nine provinces will hold their own launches to translate national priorities into interventions responding to local crime patterns and security risks.
In December, senior SAPS management will visit provinces to assess operational readiness, monitor performance and intensify deployments where necessary.
Coastal provinces, tourism destinations and areas expected to attract large numbers of holidaymakers will receive particular attention.
Border security and transport routes under scrutiny
Police will also strengthen security at ports of entry, including Beitbridge, Maseru and Lebombo, as well as other border crossings, airports, railway stations, taxi ranks and major transport corridors.
The interventions are aimed at disrupting cross-border criminal activities while protecting travellers, businesses and tourists during the holiday period.
Dimpane said the SAPS would work with traffic authorities, metropolitan police departments, border management structures and other law enforcement partners to improve coordination and intelligence sharing.
The approach is intended to close operational gaps that criminals could exploit and ensure that enforcement operations have a broader impact.
Road safety will also be a priority, with police enforcing laws against speeding, reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.
The festive season typically brings increased movement on national roads and around entertainment venues, placing motorists, passengers and pedestrians at risk.
Police have committed to strengthening enforcement while protecting women, children and other vulnerable people from violence and exploitation.
Police prepare for local government elections
The crime-fighting campaign will run alongside preparations for the local government elections scheduled for November 4.
Dimpane said senior SAPS executives would undertake provincial visits to assess election security plans, resource availability, intelligence coordination and cooperation between stakeholders.
The preparations are intended to ensure political parties can campaign freely, voters can participate without intimidation and electoral activities take place peacefully.
The election security assessments will examine the readiness of police and their partners to respond to potential threats and maintain public order.
Communities urged to help fight crime
Dimpane called on communities to work closely with police by reporting suspicious activities, providing credible information and participating in Community Policing Forums.
Businesses, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and civil society were also encouraged to help prevent crime by strengthening cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
She said public cooperation remained essential to sustaining progress in the fight against crime.
However, Dimpane stressed that police officers must also earn public trust through professional conduct, respect for victims and accountability.
“Every person reporting crime deserves dignity, every victim deserves compassionate assistance, and every legitimate community concern deserves a response,” she said.
She also rejected vigilantism, xenophobia and violence, emphasising that policing must remain lawful and impartial.
Dimpane said the SAPS would support officers who served courageously and professionally while holding accountable those who abused their authority.
She said the success of the operations would be measured by lives protected, crimes prevented, offenders brought to justice and improved public confidence in the police.
The national launch signals the start of the SAPS’s intensified festive season preparations, with police expected to translate the announced priorities into operational interventions across the country.
The acting commissioner called on officers to serve with discipline, compassion and integrity, while urging the public to make safety a shared responsibility.
The SAPS has committed to maintaining coordinated deployments throughout the festive season to protect communities, travellers and businesses.
