South African Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole will assume chairmanship 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. 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 chairman.
He was handed the sword of honour to mark the start of his chairmanship during a virtual sitting of SARPCCO’s 26th annual general meeting on Wednesday, taking over from Botswana’s Keabetswe Makgophe who has served for the last twelve months.
Besides making a call for greater cooperation between SADC countries, the South African police commissioner outlined his plans to devise new ways of combating international organised crime syndicates.
Since its inception in 1995, SARPCCO has conducted numerous joint cross-border operations as well as training programmes which have contributed to its success.
– African News Agency
