International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL)

Office in South Africa:

The South African Police Service has a section which is called the Pretoria National Central Bureau of Interpol, which serves as the South African national nodal point for all INTERPOL issues. The regional office is in Harare.

Tel : (+27) (012) 309 3005
Fax: (+27) (012) 309 3003/4
E-mail address: Interpol@saps.org.za


HISTORY AND PRESENT STATUS

This organisation ensures and promotes mutual assistance between all criminal police authorities within the limits of laws existing in different countries and in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is the global policing organisation that has the capacity to serve the policing world on a global bases to ensure day-to-day international police cooperation. South Africa became a member of INTERPOL in 1993.

INTERPOL is funded by compulsory annual contributions from Member States.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND COOPERATING ORGANISATIONS

The South African Police Service: National Interpol Bureau

GENERAL COMMENTS

INTERPOL maintains a computer systems and has contacts globally to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in combating transnational organised crime. The SAPS Interpol Bureau, through Interpol is able to deal - amongst other issues - with extradition requests, stolen vehicle enquiries and drug and fraud offences. The SAPS is also able to handle enquiries with the help of INTERPOL pertaining to missing persons, child abuse, illegal immigrants etc. INTERPOL also has a close link with the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO).

South Africa is the Vice chair (African Region) of INTERPOL.