POLOKWANE – The South African Police Service in Limpopo had on Friday 09 December 2022, launched the Traditional Policing Concept in Mokwakwaila Policing area outside Tzaneen, Mopani District.
The Traditional Policing Concept has been developed as a model for policing in rural traditionally led communities, as partners in the fight against crime. The aim of the concept thereof is to build capacity and strengthen partnerships in order to have a multi-disciplinary approach to address and reduce the fear of crime by jointly identifying the root causes, specifically in communities led by traditional leaders.
The launch was led by the Divisional Commissioner: Visible Policing and Operations, Lieutenant General MM Mohlala and the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. In attendance were Traditional Leaders from around the Province, led by the Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders Hosi Ngove.
The Mayor of Greater Letaba Municipality, Cllr Mamanyoha, the CPF Deputy Chairperson Mr Lebogo, Deputy Provincial Commissioners, District Commissioners, Station Commanders and Saps management at station, district and provincial levels.
Other stakeholders in attendance included the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders Executive members, officials from the Department of Transport and Community Safety, and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The Component Head: Social Crime Prevention from the Division Visible Policing and Operations, Major General T Mathonsi outlined the overview of Traditional Policing Concept and went on to explain the constitutional imperatives in terms of section 205,
The Divisional Commissioner: Vispol Policing and Operations Lieutenant General MM Mothlala representing office of the National Commissioner called on all government departments and stakeholders to come together to work towards the successful implementation of this concept.He urged communities to collaborate with the SAPS in the fight against crime and build safer communities through integrated approach to crime prevention in rural communities. He went on to urge traditional leaders to play a leading role in crime prevention and community mobilisation in the fight against crime.
The concept also focuses on availability of facilities for use by the police, provision of mobile service where necessary, deployment of rural safety coordinators as nodal point for traditional leaders & rural communities and provision of police stations or service points where necessary. To kick-start the project, each district received a Mobile Community Service Centre.
In concluding the program, dignitaries as well as the Traditional Leaders and District Commissioners signed the pledge of support. The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe in her response, pleaded with the traditional leaders to help police address the issue of violence including vigilantism and talk to their communities to refrain from damaging of infrastructures and take care of government resources. The General also made a promise of speeding up the process of beefing up resources to help enhance service delivery.
The Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders Hosi Ngove as he rendered the vote of thanks, said they welcomed the concept and they promise to support and work with the SAPS to ensure the success of this programme.

Source: South African Police Service