Ramaphosa Calls Joburg ‘Crime-Free’ After Late-Night Patrol

During a recent late-night walk through Johannesburg, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed admiration for the city’s visible policing, claiming that crime was nowhere to be seen. But his upbeat assessment contrasts with the city’s long-standing reputation as one of the most dangerous urban areas in South Africa and Africa.

Ramaphosa shared his observations while delivering the keynote address at the national police summit held at Emperors Palace in Gauteng. The event, themed “Efficiency in Action: Optimising South Africa’s Policing Potential”, focused on reviewing current strategies and exploring ways to improve crime prevention across the country.

‘No crime that night’ — says president after JMPD patrols

Ramaphosa said his recent visit to Braamfontein left him reassured about the effectiveness of visible policing.

“I visited Johannesburg one night and found the Johannesburg Metro Police Department [JMPD] was patrolling the city in the most impressive way,” he said. “There was no criminal activity because they were present, well-positioned, and not threatening. That is what we want to see.”

The president said his concern for safety in Johannesburg stems in part from the city’s upcoming role as host of the G20 summit later this year. While he acknowledged some challenges, he praised the increased deployment of officers during his late-night visit.

More boots on the ground, more tech in the fight against crime

Highlighting the importance of police visibility, Ramaphosa reiterated government commitments to increase police numbers, as pledged in previous state of the nation addresses.

“I know you need more numbers. That’s why we’ve committed to increasing the number of police. Even our metros are doing the same by hiring more traffic officers and municipal police,” he said.

He also applauded the recruitment of community safety wardens and crime wardens in Gauteng, saying their presence contributes to creating safer environments.

Looking to the future, Ramaphosa urged for greater integration of technology in crime prevention strategies, signalling a push for modernisation in policing to better address South Africa’s high crime rate.

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Sourced:Times Live

Picture: Chief Of Police for JMPD/X