SADC police strategise to tackle transnational crimes

DAR ES SALAAM: THE annual general meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chiefs of Police Sub-Committee and the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) opened on Monday in Dar es Salaam.

The four-day meeting brings together top police leaders from the region to deliberate on and develop comprehensive strategies to prevent and combat transnational organised crime.

Aligned with the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (2020– 2030), the meeting focuses on strengthening regional frameworks to effectively respond to cross-border criminal activities.

Key discussions include enhancing regional cooperation, improving information sharing, and coordinating joint operations against organised crime syndicates.

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Criminal activities being targeted include drug and firearms trafficking, motor vehicle theft, human trafficking, smuggling of migrants, stock theft, money laundering, and cybercrime.

The Chiefs of Police/ SARPCCO will also review and consider recommendations made during the recent SARPCCO Technical Organs meeting held in Dar es Salaam from April 28 to 30, this year.

The meeting is chaired by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Tanzania Police Force, Camillus Wambura.

As part of the proceedings, IGP Wambura will officially hand over the SARPCCO chairmanship to Inspector General of the Malawi Police Force, Mrs Merlyne Yolamu marking the end of his oneyear term.

The high-level meeting is preceded by sessions involving the Heads of INTERPOL National Central Bureaus for Southern Africa, as well as SARPCCO’s Technical Organs.

These include the Permanent Coordinating SubSub Committee (Directors of Criminal Investigations), the Legal, Women’s Network, and Training Sub-subCommittees.