Khehla Sitole to lead cross-border crime operations

POLICE commissioner General Khehla Sitole will assume chairpersonship of the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (Sarpcco) from August, according to a government statement.

Sarpcco combines police resources in fighting transnational crime across borders in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and member states include South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Mauritius, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

Sitole’s term in office will mark the seventh time that a South African has served as chairperson.

He was handed the sword of honour to mark the start of his chairpersonhip during a virtual sitting of Sarpcco’s 26th annual general meeting on Wednesday, taking over from Botswana’s Keabetswe Makgophe who served for the past 12 months.

“The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, which unfortunately has continued to claim the lives of many of our citizens, including gallant men and women of our police services/ forces, has led us to change the way we conduct our policing business,” Sitole said.