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New leadership for CGCRI

Following a successful career in the South African Police Service, Abie Nelson has been appointed to head up the Consumer Goods Crime Risk Initiative (CGCSA). Nelson takes over the leadership reigns from Dr Graham Wright, who maintains a strategic involvement in the initiative.

Nelson is ideally suited to lead this important industry-led initiative dedicated to mitigating crime within and against the consumer goods industry in South Africa. He completed 30 years of service in the SAPS during which he performed various functions from visible policing, investigations and intelligence and attained the rank of Brigadier.

The bulk of Nelson’s career was spent at Crime Intelligence where he was involved in the collection and management of information. Nelson also managed national and transnational intelligence operations focused on multi-dimensional organised crime and focused on the crime threats of serious and violent crimes, trio crimes, drug trafficking, human smuggling/trafficking, illicit mining and theft of non-ferrous metals and rhino poaching.

Nelson was also involved in various operations with international intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and was responsible for the establishment of the intelligence capacity at the OR Tambo International Airport. While at SAPS, Nelson represented the organisation at various international Interpol conferences related to international organised crime threats, and worked closely with the South African business sector in his capacity as the National Section Head for Multi-Dimensional Organised Crime intelligence.

Nelson’s primary role and function at the CGCRI includes:

• Engaging and lobbying government, and in particular the SAPS and NPA, to facilitate cooperation to address's crimes affecting retailers and business as whole.

• Ensuring the maintenance of database of crime information to assist retailers and the SAPS to mitigate crime threats facing business.

• Establishing relationships with other strategic partners from other industries, e.g. banking, petroleum, and private security, for purposes of sharing information and best practices.

• Establishment of networks on provincial and regional levels with the SAPS to ensure cooperation and information sharing to address crime threats affecting the retail industry.

The CGCRI is on a major drive to increase the participation of all companies which operate in the consumer goods industry and related sub-sectors in this important anti-crime platform. Experience has shown that the most effective way to mitigate crime in the industry is through information sharing, collaboration, and purposeful action in partnership between all participants and stakeholders.

Nelson encourages all companies to join this national anti-crime effort and welcomes discussions in this regard.

Abie Nelson can be contacted at the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa by email ( [email protected]) or 086 124 2000.

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