President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged police members to distance themselves from corrupt activities and to adopt a holistic approach to policing.

He was opening the inaugural Police Summit underway in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni metro.

The three-day meeting under the theme “Efficiency in Action: Optimising South Africa’s Policing Potential ” will reflect on current policing approaches and attempt to develop more effective methods to address the country’s high crime levels.

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‘Detrimental impact on society’

Speaking at that inaugural Police Summit, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the fight against crime remains a priority for the 7th provincial administration.

Lesufi says crime is having a detrimental impact on society.

“If we can’t defeat crime Mr. President, we must kiss our country goodbye. If you can’t defeat crime, you must forget about attracting investment. If we can’t tackle crime head-on, we must forget about attracting tourists to our country. And young families are now even contemplating leaving our country because they are refusing to raise their children in this violent province. So we have to tackle this issue. And we are proud as the Gauteng government that we have taken a decision that crime is the number one problem that needs to be tackled.”

Reduicing crime

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola believes they are on track to significantly reduce crime in the country. Masemola says police officers on the ground have been instructed to fight criminals head-on.

“Our objective is to bring the criminals to book and to court and be tried for the sins they have done. But if they choose to challenge the police, all members of the police must fight them for you and the country. The last crime stats show a bit of a decrease. We know it’s not where we want to be. We want at least 50 percent as directed. The trajectory shows that we are on that track.”