KwaZulu-Natal government enhances festive season safety with 24,515 law enforcement personnel

As the festive season approaches, the KwaZulu-Natal government is beefing up its public safety commitment via increased visibility, with 24,515 law enforcement personnel expected to be deployed across the province

This initiative was announced by Premier Thami Ntuli during the launch of the "Safety Month" and the "Festive Season Safety Plan" in Durban on Thursday.

The deployment will include approximately 17,528 members of the SAPS, 2,000 metro police officers, 693 Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers, 1,912 Emergency Medical Services officials, 134 South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs officers, and 1,167 Community Safety Volunteers.

The collaborative effort aims to ensure the welfare of both residents and visitors during what is traditionally a busy holiday period for KZN.

While addressing personnel from various law enforcement agencies, Premier Ntuli emphasised that their presence would be felt in key locations such as ports of entry, major roads, beaches, shopping centres, and community events.

“Safety is not the work of government alone; it is the product of a united province acting with purpose and responsibility,” said Ntuli.

He emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts, by stating that the integration of multiple agencies would enable rapid response capabilities, efficient communication, and enhanced visible policing across urban and rural areas.

This year, the safety plan places significant focus on addressing the persistent issue of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

The premier lamented how the festive season, typically a time of joy and celebration, often veered towards tragedy for many families in the province.

“Year after year, this period too often becomes a season of grief for many families across our province. We must not accept these acts of violence as normal,” Ntuli said.

He called upon men in KwaZulu-Natal—fathers, brothers, sons, and leaders—to embrace their roles as protectors rather than perpetuators of violence.

“Let this festive season be a turning point. Every woman and child deserves to walk freely, to celebrate safely, and to live without fear,” he said, while highlighting that safety must extend to the most vulnerable in society, including the elderly.

Provincial Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi echoed the Premier’s sentiments, assuring him that law enforcement agencies were well-prepared and ready to deliver on their commitments.

Mkhwanazi elaborated that safety plans were already being implemented in phases, with the first phase commencing on October 15 and running until November 30.

This initial phase focused on securing National Senior Certificate examinations to ensure a safe environment for school pupils during the exam period.

Mkhwanazi pointed out that the plan was not merely a seasonal operation but incorporated long-term strategies to combat aggravated robberies, enhance border security, and tackle the pervasive threat of gender-based violence, particularly during the 16 Days of Activism campaign from November 25 to December 10.

The campaign included private security companies.

In conversation with the Daily News, Prem Balram, the spokesperson for security company Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) confirmed that the partnership was an annual coming together that usually begins during or prior to the festive season.

And that the initiative included the metro police, the SAPS private security companies made up the team.

Balram said the role of the private companies in the partnership was to provide manpower in large numbers in terms of reaction officers, as well as resources such as ambulance, helicopters, and motor vehicles to assist at roadblocks.

“Over the years, these partnerships have yielded positive results with an increase in arrests, recovery of stolen and hijacked motor vehicles, unlicensed firearms, and sought-after suspects.

"I believe it is the answer to winning the fight against crime. 

"Having extra law enforcement officers out and about makes the public feel safer through their visibility, especially in high-risk areas,” he added.

Balram said the partnership was an answer to the lack of manpower that certain law enforcement agencies endured.

“The initiative is proving to be very successful."

DAILY NEWS