Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
During the Festive Holidays, the South African government is implementing a comprehensive strategy to address the heightened risk of criminal activity. This initiative, known as Safer Festive Season operations, is spearheaded by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, kicking off on Friday morning, October 17.
It is against this background that the MEC for Community Safety & Transport Management, Mr W Morweng and the Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, are launching the Provincial Safer Festive Season Operations, which runs from 01 October 2025 until 31 January 2026, in conjunction with Operation Shanela.
During the official proceedings of the South African Police Service engagement, a moment of solemnity and national reverence was marked by the playing of the general salute – a ceremonial musical tribute traditionally reserved for dignitaries and high-ranking officials.
As the notes rang out, the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) stood in formal acknowledgment, embodying the respect and protocol befitting the occasion. This gesture, deeply rooted in the traditions of state and uniformed service ceremonies, signified not only the MEC’s recognition of the authority and service of the SAPS but also the broader civic values of discipline, unity, and institutional respect.
The salute served as a symbolic bridge between leadership and law enforcement, reinforcing the gravity of the engagement and the shared commitment to public safety and constitutional order.
Welcoming address delivered by Executive Mayor, Councillor N. Num, during the official launch of the “Decade of Action for Road Safety” initiative. Speaking from the SAPS podium, the Mayor emphasized collaborative governance, community engagement, and the district’s commitment to public safety.
Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in North West, leaded today’s Safer Festive Season Launch at Matlosana Stadium in Potchefstroom.
Wessels Morweng is the MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management in the North West Province of South Africa was one of the key figures leading the Safer Festive Season Operations launched today at Matlosana Stadium in Potchefstroom.
A message of support was given by Provincial Community Policing Board Chairperson, Mr R. Malungane.
The Acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner: Policing, Major General K.G. Olifant, handed over the Safer Festive Season Operational Plan 2025/2026, to the Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General G.P. Asaneng, who will hand over copies of Safer Festive Season Operational Plan 2025/2026 to District JOINTS Chairpersons / District Commissioners. The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General GP Asaneng will subsequently hand over the Master Operational Plan to the MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Honourable W Morweng (MPL).
During the Safer Festive Season Launch at Matlosana Stadium in Potchefstroom, the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Public Order Police (POP) executed a high-impact operational simulation depicting a Cash-In-Transit (CIT) robbery in progress. The demonstration began with a staged ambush scenario, where a mock CIT vehicle was intercepted by simulated armed suspects.
TRT officers responded with precision, deploying containment tactics and neutralizing the threat using coordinated formations and rapid maneuvering. Simultaneously, POP units activated crowd control protocols, securing the perimeter and managing the simulated civilian presence with discipline and clarity. The exercise showcased SAPS’s readiness to confront organized crime, emphasizing the importance of visibility, speed, and tactical coordination during high-risk incidents.
For the audience – including community leaders, law enforcement officials, and members of the public – the simulation served as a powerful visual statement of SAPS’s operational capacity and its commitment to protecting lives and assets during the festive season. It reinforced the message that safety is not only a strategic priority but a shared responsibility, upheld through vigilance, training, and community partnership.
To conclude the Launch, the march past was done, led by the SAPS Band followed by the parade (consisting of Integrated Law Enforcement Agencies) and show of force (motorcade). The salute by the march past was acknowledged by the North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Maj Gen Patric Asaneng.
