A three-day Metropolitan Police Commissioners’ Forum was recently held in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, hosted by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL).
The gathering brought together commissioners from all metros, including Nelson Mandela Bay, Tshwane, Johannesburg, eThekwini, Mangaung and Cape Town, to review and enhance law enforcement strategies in South Africa.
SANRAL opened the session with a detailed presentation showcasing their work, highlighting cutting-edge technology such as CCTV cameras and traffic detectors.
These tools enabled real-time road monitoring, swift incident detection, and efficient road incident management.
In a statement, the NMBM said the presentation highlighted SANRAL’s commitment to collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies, focusing on how their services could support and enhance road safety initiatives and community protection.
During the forum, SANRAL highlighted the alarming rate of theft and vandalism of traffic infrastructure, including traffic lights and signals.
This problem has significantly contributed to a rise in road fatalities, prompting the agency to explore effective solutions to curb vandalism and enhance road safety.
The Metropolitan Police Commissioners’ Forum focused on training collaboration between the South African Police Services (SAPS), the Municipal Metropolitan Police Services and the Road Traffic Management Corporation.
Key areas discussed included training programmes for metro police members, technical research and uniform standards.
The panel revisited key training initiatives from previous meetings, including the development of an entry-level managerial course for Municipal Police Services and the establishment of municipal standards for MPD 9 and mounted services.
Representatives from Motorola Solutions joined the panel to explore technical research initiatives to enhance road and community safety.
These included leveraging CCTV footage for accident capture, automated incident reporting to emergency services, and monitoring vehicles and individuals that violated traffic laws.
The forum noted that these efforts would greatly benefit the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in eliminating crime and promoting safety across the Metro.
On the second day, hosted at Coega IDZ, key stakeholders in attendance, including the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security, Councillor Luyanda Lawu, Metro Police Commissioner, Advocate Andrew Moses, Metro Police Colonel, Raquel Paulsen, Metro Police Colonel, Mlindi Mangwane, and commissioners from various provinces across South Africa.
In his remarks, the MMC emphasised the importance of tackling crime in the metro, highlighting the need for innovative strategies to drive down crime statistics.
Key discussion points among the commissioners included strategic interventions to enhance local policing standards, as well as initiatives to standardise training, leverage research, and harness technical expertise.
In April, the UD Express reported that the Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, along with Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, and senior executives from SANRAL, conducted site inspections showcasing significant projects driving economic growth and road safety improvements in the Eastern Cape.
One of these projects is SANRAL’s Freeway Management System (FMS), a network of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) that actively manages and monitors freeways to improve safety, efficiency, and traveller information.
It utilises technologies like CCTV, variable message signs (VMS), and traffic detectors to monitor traffic flow, detect incidents, and provide real-time information to road users.
The FMS is designed to reduce delays, improve congestion management, and contribute to safer roads.
At the time, Creecy outlined her optimism for the area’s future: “This is about long-term impact — safer roads, stronger communities, and a thriving economy.”
The FMS is a groundbreaking project and the first of its kind in the province. It enables SANRAL to monitor road conditions in real time, respond promptly to incidents, and provide live updates to motorists, enhancing road safety.
