By Bhekisisa Mncube
Durban – The 51st session of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) will be held in South Africa for the first time in its history since the association’s formation in 1915.
Making the announcement in Durban on Tuesday, Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Nobubele Mbekela said the conference will kick off on Sunday, 22 September, starting with a parade that will showcase the uniforms and country’s flags of all police women in attendance.
The conference will be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli (ICC) in Durban.
“We are expecting at least 1 000 delegates to descend on our shores over the next few days to attend the conference,” Mbekela said.
She said the conference “is special in so many ways, in that it bears testimony to the extraordinary efforts of the members of the South African Police Service’s Women’s Network”.
Mbekela said in just a decade, the SAPS Women’s Network has grown in leaps and bounds.
“From starting out as a network for South African women police officials to interact and support each other, it has grown locally, regionally and internationally,” she said.
The SAPS Women’s Network was now recognised as a “force to be reckoned with” and landed the bid to host this year’s training conference over many other police forces throughout the world.
“What makes this conference even more significant is the fact that, in a century, this is the first time that it is being held on the African continent.
“As South Africans, we have prioritised that we ensure as many of our sisters-in-blue from other African countries as possible have been afforded an opportunity to attend,” said Mbekela.
KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said the Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (JOINTS) -- which is a mechanism through which major events, crime combating operations and other coordinated law enforcement-related plans are coordinated -- has been formed specifically to ensure safety and security during the conference.
“We have at all spheres of this operation appointed women to be at the helm of security related activities, including in the operational plan. Over 1 100 members from various disciplines have been specifically appointed to police this event from start to finish,” Ngobeni said.
She assured the people of the province that policing will continue as normal.
“The police will continue to render [service] on a 24-hour basis, with the normal service of the high standard that you expect.
“Despite the influx of visitors to the province as a result of this conference, you will be able to go about your routine without any disturbance,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
