A permanent Joint Operations Centre must now be established in Nelson Mandela Bay as a direct intervention to address the surge of kidnappings that has left families, business owners, and communities living in fear. This follows the successful passing of the Democratic Alliance’s motion in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature last week.
Recent months have seen a disturbing spike in abductions across the Metro. Residents have been taken from their homes, workplaces, and public spaces. These crimes destroy families, terrify communities, and undermine confidence in a city that is already battling high unemployment and fragile investor trust.
The DA secured legislative support for decisive action that places coordinated crime fighting at the centre of the provincial response. This ensures that the safety of residents is treated with the urgency it demands and that law enforcement agencies act as a unified force rather than operate in fragmented silos.
The motion requires the MEC for Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, to immediately engage the Provincial Commissioner and request that the Minister of Police establish a permanent, 24-hour Joint Operations Centre in Nelson Mandela Bay. This centre will bring together the Hawks, SAPS, Metro Police, and the NPA under one roof, allowing real-time intelligence sharing, targeted operations in kidnapping hotspots, and faster case progression.
The Joint Operations Centre will use existing agency resources to avoid duplication and improve accountability. It must also provide clear public reporting on arrests, dockets enrolled, and convictions secured. To strengthen community trust and public cooperation, the plan includes a confidential reporting line, witness protection measures, and structured engagement with sector bodies so that information flows quickly and safely.
These interventions matter. Nelson Mandela Bay is the economic engine of the Eastern Cape. It anchors the automotive sector, hosts two major ports, and accounts for the province’s highest concentration of industrial output.
When safety collapses in Nelson Mandela Bay, the consequences ripple through jobs, exports, and the provincial economy as a whole.
Even the smaller DA-run Kouga Municipality operates a 24-hour Joint Operations Centre at the Humansdorp Fire Station, where CCTV networks, drones, licence plate recognition, and emergency responses are coordinated in real time. Its success shows what is possible when agencies work together through a central, technology-driven command hub that strengthens both prevention and prosecution.
The NMB project must be treated as a pilot for a broader provincial safety model, with similar rollouts planned for other high-risk areas, including Buffalo City Metro. A coordinated, permanent response reassures residents that their safety is a priority and that criminals will face consequences.
The people of Nelson Mandela Bay deserve leadership that protects their dignity and restores their sense of security. The DA will continue to drive solutions that strengthen the rule of law and build a safer Eastern Cape for all.