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The scope of SACMEC activities is broad and diverse, but
undoubtedly its flagship projects and the standard by which
it will be judged is the tracing and recovery of missing
children and its support rendered to existing law
enforcement structures. The partnership between ICMEC and
the BMP brings to SACMEC a wealth of experience and
expertise in the field of investigations coupled with the
application of state of the art technology. Cases will be
dealt with according to the following operational
guidelines:
- Cases of missing children will be reported to SACMEC
immediately either through the national call center, through
the Internet or through reports filed with the SAPS.
- Cases involving stranger abduction will be given the
highest priority (cases of familial abduction generally hold
fewer risks to the child’s life).
- Each case will be assigned a dedicated case manager. Case
managers will report to the Director, Operations and
Investigations.
- The case manager will liaise closely with relevant law
enforcement agencies and will facilitate sharing of
information and resources pertaining to the case. Case
managers will have law enforcement background and a proven
track record in investigation of cases of missing person’s,
they will therefore also have their own powers of
investigation.
- SACMEC support staff, who will report to the Director,
Administration, Distribution and development, will ensure
the rapid dissemination, and distribution of information on
cases of missing children to the general public through
newspapers, national television, etc. and will also assist
in the process of repatriation, rehabilitation and follow-up
counseling.
- Cases of cross-border abduction will be handled by SACMEC
in cooperation with INTERPOL agencies in the respective
countries.
- SACMEC support staff will disseminate information received
at the National call center and see to it that all leads are
followed up, either by case managers or law enforcement.
- In general SACMEC will be set up to operate on the proven
model of the NCMEC.
- SACMEC support staff will strive to establish pro-active
and rehabilitation projects concerning missing and exploited
children.
- SACMEC support staff will initiate research projects on
exploitation with the help of another partner in this
venture The MTN center for Crime Prevention studies situated
at Rhodes University.
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