More than 500 member companies of the public-private crime-fighting E2-Plus programme have committed significant resources to support the South African Police Service (SAPS) during the planned anti-foreigner protests expected on June 30, says business organisation Business Against Crime South Africa (Bacsa).

The resources include ten helicopters; 20 piloted drones; more than 250 armed response and armoured vehicles; access to 7 000 CCTV cameras with live feeds made available to SAPS; more than 200 radios; 40 ambulances; three specialised medical search-and-rescue teams; two water cannons; two fire trucks; and eight K9 units with handlers for the operational period.

The support measures will assist the SAPS in maintaining public safety and stability, and operational readiness, the organisation says.

The partnership does not replace the role of the police and the role of E2-Plus is always supportive, says Fidelity Specialised Services executive manager Morné du Toit. Fidelity is one of the founding members of E2-Plus.

“We augment SAPS capacity; we do not replace it. That is what makes E2-Plus one of the most successful public-private partnership models in South Africa’s ongoing fight against crime,” he says.

E2-Plus was established to act as a force multiplier for SAPS. Under a memorandum of understanding between SAPS and Bacsa, the programme enables private-sector capabilities, including aviation, drones, CCTV networks, armed response, medical services, recovery vehicles and communications infrastructure, to be coordinated in support of official police operations.

Since mid-May, Bacsa and E2-Plus member companies have participated in SAPS operational planning across all provinces.

E2-Plus identified and began monitoring the current anti-foreigner mobilisation activities earlier this year. While the peak of the planned mobilisation is expected at the end of June, E2-Plus will maintain heightened monitoring and operational readiness beyond this period if required.

The partnership is also represented in the National Operational Command Centre and Provincial Operational Command Centres, which ensures that information, resources and support are aligned with SAPS priorities.

The model is designed to provide disciplined, practical support where it is needed most, says Bacsa CEO Anton du Plessis.

“E2-Plus is built on a simple principle: government leads and business supports. It shows what is possible when the State, business and the private security industry work together within clear legal mandates and under SAPS command.”

The scale of the mobilisation reflects the seriousness with which both the State and the private sector are approaching the situation, he adds.

“The safety and security of people in South Africa is a shared responsibility. By providing additional capabilities to SAPS, we can strengthen readiness, improve situational awareness and help protect communities, businesses and critical infrastructure.”

As the planned mobilisation unfolds, E2-Plus will remain on heightened alert and will continue supporting SAPS through coordinated information sharing and operational assistance.

The objective is clear: to help ensure that communities can continue their daily lives safely, lawfully and without disruption, says Du Plessis.