Natalie Nyathi
The annual general meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chiefs of Police Sub-Committee and the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) commenced on Monday in Dar es Salaam. This important four-day event brings together senior police officials from the region to devise comprehensive strategies for preventing and addressing transnational organized crime.
In line with the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (2020–2030), this meeting aims to enhance regional frameworks for effectively tackling cross-border criminal activities. Key topics on the agenda include improving collaboration among police forces, sharing information more efficiently, and coordinating joint operations against organized crime networks.
The discussions will specifically focus on targeted criminal activities such as drug and firearms trafficking, motor vehicle theft, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, stock theft, money laundering, and cybercrime. The Chiefs of Police will also review recommendations from a recent SARPCCO Technical Organs meeting that took place in Dar es Salaam from April 28 to 30, 2025.
The meeting is chaired by Camillus Wambura, Inspector General of the Tanzania Police Force. At the conclusion of his one-year term, IGP Wambura will officially transfer the chairmanship to Mrs. Merlyne Yolamu, Inspector General of the Malawi Police Force.
Before this high-level meeting, sessions were held involving the Heads of INTERPOL National Central Bureaus for Southern Africa and various SARPCCO Technical Organs. These include the Permanent Coordinating Sub-Committee (Directors of Criminal Investigations), along with sub-committees focused on legal issues, women’s networks, and training initiatives.
This gathering represents a vital effort to strengthen cooperation among Southern African nations in addressing the urgent challenge of transnational organized crime, aiming to create a safer region for all citizens.
