SAPS launches Safer Festive Season Operations in Mpumalanga

By Kopano Dibakwane

The SAPS (South African Police Service) has officially launched its Safer Festive Season Operations 2026/2027 at the Kwabokweni Stadium in Mbombela, on Monday 12 October 2026.

Delivered under the backdrop of “The Place of the Rising Sun,” the operational address by SAPS Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, outlined a comprehensive, intelligence-led, and high-visibility strategy aimed at securing South Africa over the holiday period.

Lt-Gen Dimpane was accompanied by two Deputy Police Ministers, Cassel Mathale and Polly Boshielo, Mpumalanga MEC for DCSSL (Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison), Jackie Macie, Ehlanzeni District Mayor, Terror Shabangu, Provincial Commissioners, as well as senior officials from various departments and agencies.

In her address, Lt-Gen Dimpane affirmed that decisive policing, integrated partnerships and active community participation will strengthen public confidence and make the festive season safer for all.

She added that the Safer Festive Season 2026/2027 Operations should not be viewed simply as an annual policing exercise, but as a decisive demonstration of operational readiness, institutional accountability and an unwavering commitment to public safety.

“The festive season must be a time of joy, not tragedy; togetherness, not violence; and economic opportunity, not exploitation by criminals. Our mission is clear: every person must be able to travel, work, worship, celebrate and return home safely. This is our constitutional obligation and our commitment to the people of South Africa.” said Lt-Gen Dimpane.

According to the Acting National Police Commissioner, the operations are anchored in Section 205 of the Constitution and guided by an intelligence-led, proactive and coordinated approach.

“A five-pillar operational approach will anchor deployments across all provinces, focusing on high-density policing and crime prevention; combating serious and organised crime; road safety and transport security; protection of tourism destinations, businesses and public spaces; and strengthening community partnerships, victim support and accountable service delivery.

“Our priorities include combating organised crime, aggravated robberies, hijackings, illegal firearms, illicit liquor, human trafficking and smuggling, while strengthening responses to gender-based violence and femicide.” Lt-Gen Dimpane affirmed.

She furthermore stated that strict operational focus will be maintained across major land ports of entry including Beitbridge, Maseru, and Lebombo, as well as international airports and border crossings.

Multidisciplinary law enforcement teams will reportedly work to disrupt cross-border criminality and protect incoming holidaymakers and tourists.

In addition to the festive season deployments, senior SAPS executives will reportedly conduct provincial assessment visits ahead of the Local Government Elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.

According to Lt-Gen Dimpane, these evaluations will ensure that political parties campaign freely, voters participate without intimidation, and democratic processes proceed peacefully across all provinces.

MEC Macie said the fight against crime requires an active, united partnership between government, business and local communities.

“The police cannot win this fight alone. We appeal to the people of Mpumalanga and the broader South African public to take ownership of their streets and exercise their civic power,” said MEC Macie.

The MEC added that the public can participate in the ongoing fight against crime by reporting criminal activities to the authorities without delay, strengthening local CPFs (Community Policing Forums), refusing to purchase stolen property, as well as safeguarding and supporting women, children and the elderly against abuse and exploitation.

Lt-Gen Dimpane said trust must be earned through professional service, thus emphasising that every person reporting crime deserves dignity, every victim deserves compassionate assistance, and every legitimate community concern deserves a response.

She spoke out vehemently against acts of vigilantism, xenophobia and violence.

“Our commitment is to lawful, impartial and accountable policing. To our members, integrity is non-negotiable. We will support those who serve courageously and professionally while holding accountable those who abuse their authority. Our success will be measured by lives protected, crimes prevented, offenders brought to justice and public confidence strengthened,” Lt-Gen Dimpane said.

She concluded by warning those intending to exploit and disrupt the festive season that SAPS is prepared, resources are mobilised, partnerships are strengthened and police officers are ready to act decisively within the law.

Brand new vehicles and motorcycles were handed to to operational teams in a bid to boost visibility and strengthen crime prevention operations.