Africa-Press – South-Africa. The SA Police Service’s Special Task Force Unit (STF) placed ninth at the five-day United Arab Emirates SWAT Challenge Competition, which was held in Dubai.
The competition involved 55 law enforcement teams from around the world.
According to SAPS’ national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the competition assessed the tactical acumen, mental focus and physical endurance of police teams. It was designed to promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and to strengthen partnerships to make communities safe.
Over the five days, the teams competed in five different tests, which included tactical, assault, officer rescues, tower events and obstacle courses.
The STF finished in ninth place, racking up 183 points in a competition that included law enforcement agencies from the US, Brazil, Russia, Kenya, Iraq, Hong Kong and the UAE.
Russia’s Akhmat and its Special Rapid Response Unit finished first and third respectively, while the UAE’s Dubai police placed second.
Mathe said the STF’s placement was a vast improvement from the 13th placed finish in 2022, in which they only managed to collect 82 points.
The STF’s second team finished in 27th, with 124 points.
The accomplishment places South Africa’s STF as the best in Africa.
“The teams overall commander, the component head responsible for Specialised Operations, Major-General Nonhlanhla Zulu, who formed part of the team in Dubai, said SAPS was proud of the team,” Mathe said.
Member of the SAPS Special Task Force unit.SAPS Zulu said: “The members’ performance is commendable. In the world, we are number nine, but on the African continent, we are number one, so this is a big achievement. We beat Kenya and Libya.
“So, yes, we are satisfied with the results. We hope to do better next time. We are happy to be back to continue to deal decisively with serious and violent crime in our country.”
The STF is a highly specialised SAPS unit, whose members are responsible for responding to high-risk incidents which other police units are not equipped or trained to deal with.
It includes counter-terrorism within SA’s borders, specialised rescue, hostage situations and VIP protection.
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