SA, UAE sign crime agreement
Thapelo Sakoana
26 April 2006South Africa and the United Arab Emirates have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), agreeing to work together in combating organised crime, trafficking and money laundering.
Signing the MoU in Pretoria this week, South Africa's minister of safety and security Charles Nqakula said crime had been globalised and that countries needed to work together to combat it. He said global law enforcement agencies have to join hands in fighting crime.
"The MoU will be the necessary instrument to fight crime. Coming together will help countries of the world learn from each other in fighting crime which, for instance, requires skills and education to fight," he said, citing international terrorism as an example.
Strengthening capacity
Nqakula said the agreement would enhance the relations between the two countries while strengthening the capacity of their police services.
"It becomes a critical ingredient to foster a political programme of our governments in creating peace and stability in the world."
"This is the relationship that we would want to nurture because it is based on the objectives of our government," he said.
The two countries already have economic and trade relations, having signed agreements on economic and trade co-operation.
This co-operation includes the following areas: trade, industry, agriculture, transport, telecommunications, petroleum and petro-chemicals, education, scientific research, technology, tourism and investment.
'Best practises'
UAE Deputy Minister for the Interior, General Suif Alshafar, said the MoU would create a platform for the countries to exchange information and share experiences.
He said his delegation had seen the services the South African police provide to communities and said he hoped his country could learn a lot.
"We will also exchange our best practices with South Africa," he said.
A South African delegation comprising Nqakula, National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi and senior officials is expected to visit the UAE in the near future
Source: BuaNews
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