Welcoming remarks by the Deputy National Commissioner: Crime Detection; Lt General SM Sibiya at the Transnational Organised Crime Work Session, Southern Sun Hotel, Pretoria, 3 March 2025

Welcoming remarks by the Deputy National Commissioner: Crime Detection; Lt General SM Sibiya at the Transnational Organised Crime Strategic Planning Session, Southern Sun Hotel Pretoria, 3 March 2025  

Thank you Programme Director, Brigadier Mokhine;

➢The National Head of the DPCI, (DR/Adv) Lieutenant General SG Lebeya;
➢ All Deputy National Commissioners present;
➢ All Divisional Commissioners present;
➢ Senior Officer Police / SARPCCO, SADC, Ms T Gumede;
➢ The Head of Interpol Regional Bureau Harare, Mr S Moerane;
➢ Senior officers from the South African Police Service;
➢ Senior Government representatives present;
➢ National Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee (NICIC) representatives: Dr Sefolo;
➢ Representatives from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS);
➢ Representatives from Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GITOC);
➢ SADC Secretariat and INTERPOL Regional Bureau staff;
➢ Members of the media;
➢ Distinguished guests;
➢ Ladies and gentlemen

Good morning!

Receive our warm South African welcome this morning, to this very important SADC meeting aimed at developing a country strategy to fight Transnational Organised Crime (TOC) across the region. We wish to further extend our greetings on behalf of the South African Police Service and on behalf of the South African Government represented by Senior officials from the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster.

The timing of the hosting of this 5-day high level meeting comes at the critical time, where South Africa is concluding 5-year strategic plans and Medium-Term Development Programmes that will direct government’s plan of action for the next five years.

In our own programme as the security cluster, we will definitely require solid and implementable conference resolutions from this strategic session, that will decisively address transnational and organised crime in the country and in the region.

The fact that so many esteemed delegates have gathered here today – representing various sectors, agencies and nations – demonstrates our shared commitment to tackling one of the most pressing security challenges of our time. Thank you for attending this important strategy work session.

Ladies and gentlemen, TOC knows no borders. It thrives on the vulnerabilities within our societies, exploiting gaps in governance, Law enforcement and economic stability.

Whether it manifests in human trafficking, drug smuggling, cybercrime or financial fraud, its consequences are profound, affecting the safety, stability and prosperity of communities worldwide.

This strategic session is guided by the SADC Integrated Strategy to Prevent and Combat Transnational Organised Crime. In 2004, the first Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ (SIPO I) identified the growing vulnerability of national borders, increase in organised and transnational crime, drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, criminal syndicates and many more – as some of the primary challenges to state and public security in the region.

The TOC strategy gives effect to the various recommendations emanating from SIPO I and SIPO II, the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan and other regional strategic policy documents in the areas of peace, security and development.

In particular, it operationalises the decisions of the TROIKA Summit Report and other policy organs of SADC and intended to address the challenges and gaps in current responses to TOC, through an integrated approach.

Today, we come together not just to discuss these challenges and gaps, but to forge a unified, proactive and strategic approach, guided by the SADC Integrated Strategy to Prevent and Combat Transnational Organised Crime.

The strategy is designed to complement national and international strategies, action plans and relevant legislative and legal agreements that SADC member states have entered into, in the file of TOC, with a view to prevent, combat and stem the threats posed by transnational, serious and organised crimes.

So, the goal ladies and gentlemen, is not only to identify emerging threats but also to strengthen cross-border collaboration, enhance intelligence-sharing and develop innovative countermeasures.

In our deliberations, please let us take note or refer to the seven (7) main strategic priority actions of the SADC Strategy, to be undertaken individually and collectively at the national and regional levels.

These priority actions constitute the key pillars of the SADC strategy upon which performance should be measured.

Also, we need to look into Agenda 2063, which re-dedicates the continent to the attainment of the Pan African vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena.

Distinguished delegates, I encourage all of you to actively engage, challenge assumptions and contribute your unique perspectives.

The strength of our response depends on the strength of our partnership. Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our commitment to justice, security and the rule of law.

Ultimately, ladies and gentlemen, the aim is to have a united and resilient SADC region free of TOC, in which peace, security, democracy and development flourish.

Once again, a very warm welcome. We look forward to a productive and insightful 5- day work session and moreover constructive conference deliberations and progressive resolutions.

THANK YOU!