Cape town: The Police Deputy Minister, Cassel Mathale, is leading a delegation of senior officers to the 93rd Interpol General Assembly taking place in Morocco this week. The South African Police Service (SAPS) announced that the annual Interpol General Assembly serves as a platform for member countries to strengthen multilateral partnerships and to adopt collective strategies aimed at enhancing global safety and security.
According to South African Government News Agency, Mathale stated that the SAPS delegation will utilize the opportunity to focus its efforts on strengthening relations with member countries to address challenges such as border security, human trafficking, vehicle smuggling, drug trafficking, and the flow of illegal firearms between countries. Mathale emphasized the importance of the meeting as an opportunity for international collaboration, expressing hope for improved cooperation and mutual understanding with participating countries.
The delegation includes senior police officers such as the Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu Natal, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the Head of Specialised Units in SAPS, Major General Nonhlanhla Zulu, and the Head of Interpol in South Africa, Brigadier Ntime Mokhine. These officials will engage in bilateral meetings with other member countries to explore enhanced intelligence sharing, training, and technical support.
Mkhwanazi highlighted the focus on cyber security discussions with leading countries to strengthen South Africa's cybercrime security efforts. Bilateral engagements will also address drug smuggling issues, particularly with countries in South America. Additionally, South Africa will support the adoption of a Silver notice as a strategy to trace and recover criminals' assets held in foreign countries.
South Africa's participation in the assembly is expected to further solidify the country's role within Interpol and its contribution to global security. The outcomes of the General Assembly will guide future joint operations, technological advancements in policing, and improved law-enforcement collaboration across regions.
The expansion of Interpol tools and capabilities will be a key focus, aiming to share these resources with other law enforcement agencies in the fight against Transnational Organised Crime. The 93rd Session of the assembly is anticipated to conclude with resolutions aimed at strengthening global security frameworks and enhancing member countries' ability to respond to evolving criminal networks.