The Ministry of Police, led by Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia, is in Gqeberha today for a series of high level engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation between the South African Police Service and key stakeholders.
The visit comes amid growing concern over escalating crime levels in the Eastern Cape metro.
Lieutenant General Johanna Mamotheti, Divisional Commissioner for Visible Policing and Operations, is leading the SAPS delegation. She is joined by the newly appointed Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata.
Also participating in the engagements is Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.
A key meeting is currently underway with the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, which has raised urgent concerns about safety and security in the metro.
Business leaders are engaging the Ministry on the severe impact of crime on economic activity, social stability, and investor confidence. They are also pushing for immediate and practical interventions to address the crisis.
The metro is currently experiencing sustained and escalating criminal activity, placing Nelson Mandela Bay under increasing national and international scrutiny.
Among the major concerns raised are high murder rates, widespread hijackings, kidnappings, extortion and scams, as well as petrol bomb attacks on trucks and vehicles during service delivery protests.
There are also ongoing incidents of vandalism targeting vehicles, municipal infrastructure and other critical installations.
These challenges are significantly undermining business confidence, tourism, logistics operations, and investment prospects, while also threatening the safety and livelihoods of residents.
The outcomes of today’s engagements are expected to shape urgent interventions aimed at restoring stability and rebuilding confidence in the metro.