Parliament, Thursday 18 February 2016 - The Portfolio Committee on Police has welcomed President Jacob Zuma's announcement regarding the establishment of two new crime-fighting units which would fall under the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation).

The Committee is pleased with the President's announcement and believes the establishment of the two specialised units will go a long way in fighting organised crime.

Committee Chairperson, Mr Francois Beukman, says the President's announcement is in keeping with the kind of the police service and crime-fighting efforts envisaged in the National Development Plan (NDP) and is in line with the back to basic strategy.

Making this announcement during his reply to the State of the Nation Address debate, President Zuma said, "As part of the back to basics strategy the ministry of police will establish special units to deal with drugs and related transgressions and transnational crimes, as well as violence and proliferation of firearms in our society."

The new units will deal with narcotics and illegal firearms.

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR FRANCOIS BEUKMAN

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