Harare, (New Ziana) – Police chiefs from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional group are currently meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the annual Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) conference, where they chart strategies to strengthen the fight against transnational organised crime across the region.
The high-level gathering, running from June 2 to 6, brings together police chiefs and security experts from across Southern Africa to deliberate on coordinated measures aimed at preventing and responding to increasingly sophisticated cross-border criminal activities.
In a statement, SADC said the meeting seeks to formulate comprehensive strategies to curb organised crime and enhance regional security cooperation.
“The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chiefs of Police Sub-Committee/Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) are scheduled to meet for their annual general meeting in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania from 2 to 6 June 2026. The meeting aims to deliberate on and formulate comprehensive strategies to prevent and effectively respond to transnational organised crime,” the regional bloc said.
SADC noted that the conference is being held in line with the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (2020–2030), which prioritises the strengthening of regional frameworks to prevent and combat organised crime.
Among the key issues on the agenda are drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, motor vehicle theft, trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, stock theft, money laundering and cybercrime. These crimes continue to pose significant threats to the region’s security, economic growth and social development.
Delegates will also review recommendations from the recent SARPCCO Technical Organ’s meeting held in Dar es Salaam from April 28 to 30, 2025, which focused on enhancing regional law enforcement cooperation and operational effectiveness.
The conference is being chaired by Tanzania Police Force Inspector General Camillus Wambura, who currently serves as SARPCCO chairperson. During the meeting, Wambura is expected to hand over the organisation’s leadership to Malawi Police Service Inspector General Mrs Merlyne Yolamu at the end of his one-year term.
Ahead of the main conference, meetings of the Heads of INTERPOL National Central Bureaus for Southern Africa and various SARPCCO technical organs were convened. These included the Permanent Coordinating Sub-Committee, comprising Directors of Criminal Investigations, as well as the Legal, Women’s Network and Training sub-committees.
SADC said the annual gathering highlights the region’s commitment to strengthening cooperation among law enforcement agencies in confronting evolving security threats and dismantling organised criminal networks that operate across national borders.
Regional officials underscored the importance of enhanced intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and collective action in safeguarding the region and promoting sustainable development through lasting peace and security.
New Ziana
