The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has launched a virtual Joint Operations Centre (JOC) to enhance safety and security during the festive season, addressing the unique challenges of the summer months. This initiative aims to improve operational visibility and coordination among various law enforcement agencies, ensuring a swift and effective response to emerging situations.
By integrating advanced technology and mobilising multi-disciplinary operations, the virtual JOC strengthens the Municipality’s ability to safeguard both residents and tourists with heightened patrols, increased law enforcement presence, and a zero-tolerance approach to violations, particularly along the beachfront and key hotspots across the Metro.
According to NMBM spokesperson, Sithembiso Soyaya, “Some of the reasons for establishing a virtual joint operations centre include but are not limited to ensuring effective and efficient implementation of the plan, and it includes multi-disciplinary operations. Another reason is to maximise law enforcement visibility on the ground.”
He added that all law enforcement agencies who form part of the JOC are on standby, should there be a need for their physical assistance, as the “Metro Police Department, SAPS, and other law enforcement agencies, like the Traffic and Licensing services, are committed to a safer festive season.”
The stakeholders mentioned above have been doing commendable work on the beachfront and have successfully apprehended drunk drivers, mitigated public drinking, for which they have a zero-tolerance policy, and generally deterred criminals with their visibility by introducing pedal cycles on beach patrols.
Over 300 bylaw fines have been issued since the start of December 2024 in the beachfront precinct.
During this period, Traffic Services also conducted awareness campaigns at the boardwalk and nearby areas, focusing particularly on road safety. Speed cameras are being deployed across the Metro to enforce traffic laws and regulations, aiming to reduce road fatalities and injuries.
The Metro Police Department has increased its visibility and autonomous bylaw operations, as demonstrated by the weekly joint operations taking place throughout December 2024.
“The claim of non-visibility would only be valid if we were operating with a static JOC, rather than the virtual JOC we are currently using. At this point in time, the virtual JOC has proven to be highly effective,” Soyaya added.
The Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, Councillor Luyanda Lawu, said, “Joint operations are held to enhance and increase law enforcement visibility around the Metro every week, with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders.”
They will be gathered at the Humewood Police Station, on December 21 at 16:45 and KwaZakhele SAPS on December 22 at 09:00 and calls for residents of Gqeberha to be present.
