The women and men in blue helped to launch the last of the Western Cape districts’ Safer Festive Season Operations today (Thursday 23 October) at the Kayamandi Sport Grounds in Stellenbosch, with officials from all 23 stations in the Cape Winelands police districts in attendance.
Officials from Paarl to Worcester and Ceres came together.
Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Adv Thembisile Patekile, assured locals that with the focused plan for the upcoming festive season the Winelands will be a safer place for both residents and visitors. “We are entering a critical period where proactive policing and community cooperation are essential. Our members will be visible and vigilant to ensure that those who threaten public safety face decisive action,” he stated. He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to a zero-tolerance approach towards crime, particularly violent offences, gender-based violence, and drug-related activities, stressing that offenders will be dealt with swiftly and firmly. “The safety of our people remains our top priority. Together, through partnership and vigilance, we can make this festive season safe for all who live in and visit the Winelands,” Patekile added.
Cape Winelands District Commissioner General Miriam Mocholog urged residents to work with police to help make this festive season, a safer one. Photo: Yaël Malgas 
Officials of the Department of Correctional Services and the South African Police’s Mounted Unit, make their way past Lieutenant General Adv. Thembisile Patekile during the parade. Photo: Yaël Malgas 
Officers of the K9 unit and their furry coworkers. Photo: Yaël Malgas
Along with setting out the 10 specific crimes the police are focusing on, messages of support were also offered by local crime prevention partners. Sebastian Abrahams, chairperson of the Cape Winelands’ Community Policing Forums, urged residents to work with police to help keep neighbourhoods safe. For his part Billy Laubscher of Business Against Crime Western Cape (BACWC), thanked the all law enforcement officials for their sacrifice of keeping others safe during the festive season.
Spiritual leaders from Stellenbosch also took the opportunity to pray over Patekile and his members.
Cape Winelands District Commissioner General Miriam Mocholog urged Stellenbosch residents to help look after one another and report any suspicious activities and crimes.
Spiritual leaders pray over Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Adv Thembisile Patekile during the Safer Festive Season Operations launch in Kayamandi. Photo: SAPS Officers of the K9 unit and their furry coworkers. Photo: Yaël Malgas 
Paarl’s Public Order Policing (POP) demonstrated their skills at deescalating hostile “protesters”. Photo: Yaël Malgas 
Paarl’s Public Order Policing (POP) demonstrated their skills at deescalating hostile “protesters”. Photo: Yaël Malgas
When all the formalities of the day was done Cloetsville’s drum majorettes entertained the delegation and crowd. The K9 unit as well as Paarl’s Public Order Policing (POP) showed off their skills during demonstration.
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