The Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers have successfully protected our streets by curbing the unrestricted movement of criminals. A significant number of 1 233 suspects were apprehended by LEAP officers from 1 May to 4 June 2023, for a variety of offences. The team also managed to seize 15 firearms.
These efforts play a crucial role in working towards the goal of reducing the murder rate by 50% by the year 2029.
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LEAP, an initiative derived from the Western Cape Safety Plan (WCSP), is a collaborative effort between the Western Cape Government (WCG) and the City of Cape Town (CoCT).
Among others, the arrests included:
- 17 for the possession of illegal firearms
- 13 for the possession of imitation firearms
- 55 for the possession of dangerous weapons
- 903 for the possession of drugs
The firearms confiscated are:
- 1x Vector Firearm in Delft
- 1x 38 Special in Kraaifontein
- 1x Norinco in Nyanga
- 2x Zip Gun in Samora Machel
- 1x Firearm in Samora Machel
- 1x Revolver in Mitchells Plain
- 1x Pistol in Philippi East
- 2x Pistol in Manenberg
- 1x Firearm in Manenberg
- 1x Pistol in Harare
- 1x Firearm in Harare
- 1x Pistol in Khayelitsha
- 1x 9mm Firearm in Khayelitsha
Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen said, ‘The dedicated and professional work that is being done by our LEAP officers is commendable. They put their lives at risk daily to keep us safe, to eradicate crime and to assist in ensuring the murder rate is reduced by 50% by 2029. The reduction of the murder rate is no small feat and while there is a long road ahead of us, LEAP is making a difference in our communities. As the Western Cape government, we regard safety as a priority, and this is part of the reason why we are continuing to invest in our LEAP officers.’
LEAP is strategically deployed, and its operations are based on evidence and data in the top 10 murder areas in the Western Cape, which are Delft, Gugulethu, Harare, Khayelitsha (Site B policing precinct), Kraaifontein, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Philippi East and Samora Machel.
Other high-crime areas in which they are deployed are Atlantis, Bishop Lavis and Hanover Park, along with Lavender Hill, Steenberg and Grassy Park.
LEAP officers work with a multitude of law enforcement agencies, which include other City of Cape Town law enforcement agencies, the South African Police Service (SAPS), neighbourhood watches (NHWs), community policing forums (CPFs), and various other stakeholders.
Minister Reagen Allen expressed the need for communities to continue working with LEAP and all other law enforcement agencies, SAPS, neighbourhood watches, community policing forums and all relevant law-abiding entities that seek to create safer communities.
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Picture: Supplied