The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chiefs of Police Sub-Committee/Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) held their annual general meeting in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania from 5-6 June 2025. The meeting was successfully hosted by the Chiefs of Police Sub-Committee/SARPCCO Chairperson, Inspector General of Police/Chief of Tanzania Police Force, IGP. Camillus M. WAMBURA. The Chiefs of Police meeting engaged in substantive deliberations on regional strategies to combat transnational organised crime with a strong emphasis on strengthening collaboration, coordination, and collective action among SADC Member States to enhance regional security and stability.
Honourable Innocent L. Bashungwa, Minister of Home Affairs for the United Republic of Tanzania, who was the guest of honour, highlighted during the opening ceremony that the region is experiencing a surge in transnational crimes such as cybercrimes, human trafficking, poaching, motor vehicle theft, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, amongst others. He emphasised on the need to invest in more sophisticated and high-tech solutions to fight against security threats across the region. Honorable Minister Bashungwa observed that, despite the security challenges, the region remains relatively secure and stable.
Professor Kula Ishmael Theletsane, The Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs at SADC Secretariat highlighted that the meeting presents an opportunity to discuss and enhance regional frameworks and mechanisms to prevent and combat transnational organised crime in line with the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, which is firmly anchored on the foundational principles of peace and security as prerequisites for sustainable regional integration and development.
On the other hand, Mr Sello Moerane, Head of The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) Regional Bureau Harare, representative of INTERPOL Secretary General, Mr Valdecy Urquiza and Dr Mohamed Bernaired, representative of the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL) Executive Director, Ambassador Jalel Chelba, stressed the importance of strong collaboration between regional policing bodies such as AFRIPOL and INTERPOL in combating transnational organized crime. They also emphasised the need for joint operations, information sharing and reaffirmed their commitment to support the SADC region through capacity building and coordinated efforts to combat transnational organised crime.
In a firm show of regional unity, SADC Chiefs of Police issued a decisive call to confront the region’s most prevalent organised crime threats which include, amongst others proliferation of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons, cybercrime, drug trafficking, trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants, financial crimes, stock theft, and motor vehicle theft. They committed to emboldening regional security through joint operations, real-time intelligence sharing, and harmonised policies to combat crime.
During the meeting, a ceremonial handover of the SARPCCO Chairpersonship was done by the current SARPCCO Chairperson, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Tanzania, Mr. Camillus Wambura who handed over to the Incoming SARPCCO Chairperson, Mrs. Merlyne Yolamu, Inspector General of Malawi Police Service. The Chairperson of SARPCCO expressed his sincere appreciation to all Chiefs of Police for the unwavering support and collaboration extended to him during his tenure. He further conveyed his best wishes to the incoming Chairperson.
The Chiefs of Police concluded the meeting by urging Member States to intensify implementation of regional strategies and protocols aimed at addressing transnational organised crime as well as prioritising conducting of National Organised Crime Threat Assessments and align national efforts with the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020-2030 to decisively disrupt cross-border criminal networks. The regional instruments aimed at preventing and combating transnational organised crimes include the SADC Integrated Strategy to Prevent and Combat Transnational Organized Crime and its Action Plan, the SADC Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunitions and other Related Materials, the Protocol on Combating Illicit Drugs as well as the Protocols on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and Extradition.
