The Coega Development Corporation (Coega) and its Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) security service provider, Falcon Security Group, came together last week Thursday, 30 November 2023, to honour and celebrate the invaluable contributions of its security personnel and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to business continuity and public safety in and around the Coega SEZ. The celebration was marked by an awards ceremony at the Coega Vulindlela Accommodation and Conference Centre (VACC) in Gqeberha, to recognise SAPS officials, Falcon Security personnel, and the Coega Command and Control Centre team for collaborating on successful crime prevention strategies over the last quarter.
The joint awards ceremony contributes to an ongoing partnership commitment to promote crime prevention efforts in and around the Coega SEZ. The event follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Coega and the SAPS Swartkops Precinct in July 2023, to promote partnership in ensuring a safe trading and business environment for investors and tenants of the Coega SEZ.
During the event, representatives from Coega and the Falcon Security Group expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the hard work and commitment shown by the security personnel and SAPS in upholding safety standards and protecting the community.
Mr. Thabiso Phetuka, Director of the Falcon Security Group, highlights the importance of partnership in safeguarding facilities to ensure continuity of operations in the Coega SEZ: “We have a serious crime pandemic in the country and the economic hardships are not making it easier. We welcome this event. It is important to acknowledge and thank the men and women who risk their own safety in the line of duty to ensure the protection of people and equipment that add economic value to our region. Coega SEZ is one of our biggest commodities and we must protect the people and assets within it,” says Phetuka.
Safety and security are fundamental aspects in the design, construction, and operation of an SEZ, in relation to Sustainable Development Goal 11, in which safety, resilience and sustainable development is emphasised.
Coega Security Manager, Mr. Neville Andrew, explains the value of effective collaboration between stakeholders in the security space: “The equipment and property located within SEZ precincts continue to be safer than surrounding areas for numerous reasons, namely, close collaboration with law enforcement and controlled access to the zones. Our approach to reducing crime or security involves organisational, mechanical, and natural methods to control access, enhance natural surveillance and territoriality, and support legitimate activity.”
The Coega SEZ is ISO certified in quality, health, safety, and environmental management, as well as integrated ICT management systems, with a dedicated Command and Control Centre housed within the organisation’s Operations Business Unit at the Coega Business Centre in Zone 1 of the SEZ.
“We continue to strengthen the partnership between the SAPS, our security structures, and the Coega Command and Control Centre, to create a security- positive environment for all investors, tenants, employees and visitors, and also celebrate the successes of crime prevention strategies,” concludes Andrew.
