A united front against organised crime

ACTING Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia said transnational organised crime remains one of the most serious threats to peace, stability, and development across Africa and beyond.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

He was speaking on the opening day of the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference at the Century City Convention in Cape Town yesterday.

The conference brings together police chiefs, ministers, and security experts from across the continent.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said the gathering came at a crucial time.

"We gather not merely as representatives of our countries, but as partners bound by a shared responsibility to confront the complex and evolving challenges of transnational crime that undermine peace, prosperity and the rule of law," he said.

Masemola highlighted South Africa's battle against cross-border smuggling, drug trafficking, firearms proliferation and illegal mining.

Just last week, authorities destroyed counterfeit medicines and narcotics worth more than R420 million.

"These threats are not unique to us; they echo across the continent, demanding collective and coordinated responses," he said. "Transnational crime knows no borders, and our response cannot be confined by borders either."