Police commissioner Kehla Sithole to chair cross border crime unit
The Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation combines police resources in fighting transnational crime across borders in the SADC region.
DURBAN, June 17 (ANA) – South African Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole will assume chairmanship of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO) from August, according to a government statement.
SARPCCO combines police resources in fighting transnational crime across borders in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and member states include South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Mauritius, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
Sitole’s term in office will mark the seventh time that a South African has served as chairman.
He was handed the sword of honour to mark the start of his chairmanship during a virtual sitting of SARPCCO’s 26th annual general meeting on Wednesday, taking over from Botswana’s Keabetswe Makgophe who served for the last twelve months.
“The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, which unfortunately has continued to claim the lives of many of our citizens, including gallant men and women of our police services/forces, has led us to change the way we conduct our policing business,” Sitole said in his acceptance speech.
He commended Makgophe’s quick adapting skills and handling of the region over the last year and a half since the outbreak of the pandemic.
“This is evident from the Tenure of Office Report that the outgoing chairperson just shared with us,” Sitole said.
Besides making a call for greater cooperation between SADC countries, the South African police commissioner outlined his plans to devise new ways of combating international organised crime syndicates.
Since its inception in 1995, SARPCCO has conducted numerous joint cross-border operations as well as training programmes which have contributed to its success.
– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa
