The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, recently visited the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s Security and Protection Unit to recognise the exceptional role they play in safeguarding the safety of operational staff working in high-risk areas, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Their work is vital for ensuring that essential water and sanitation services continue uninterrupted across the city.
The Security and Protection Unit has become an indispensable part of Cape Town’s public service infrastructure, tasked with ensuring the safety of teams as they perform critical services like pipe repairs and installations. They also patrol key depots and pump stations, while providing additional support by serving notices for by-law violations when necessary.
A rapidly expanding force for safety
Currently made up of 33 law enforcement officers and an administrative support team, the Security and Protection Unit is on the verge of a major expansion. Plans are in place to recruit an additional 37 officers in the 2025/26 financial year, effectively doubling the unit’s capacity. This expansion is designed to bolster the safety of both staff and residents as the city’s water and sanitation demands grow.
In the first half of 2024 alone, the unit’s efforts were highly effective, escorting 1,080 jobs, conducting 419 depot patrols, and performing 730 pump station patrols. The unit’s strategic focus has been on high-risk areas such as Manenberg, Philippi, Samora Machel, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Nyanga, and Hanover Park, where security is crucial to ensure that essential services can continue uninterrupted despite potential threats.
A track record of achievements and recognition
Since its formation, the Security and Protection Unit has achieved remarkable success in ensuring staff safety and protecting city infrastructure. One of the unit’s major successes was its role in overseeing two major shutdowns—one lasting 75 hours in September 2022 and another lasting 72 hours in June 2024. During these challenging periods, officers escorted teams working around the clock to install new water pipes, ensuring their safety despite operating in volatile conditions.
The unit has also made impressive strides in reducing vandalism and theft at the City’s water and sewer pump stations. Through regular patrols and heightened visibility, they have helped minimise disruptions caused by criminal activity. This proactive approach has garnered recognition, including awards for ‘Best Collaboration’ in 2023 and ‘Service Excellence and Innovation’ in 2024.
In September 2024, members of the unit were honoured by the Executive Mayor for their courageous actions in assisting two women involved in a motor vehicle accident. This heroic act exemplifies the unit’s commitment not only to securing water infrastructure but also to supporting the broader community.
Badroodien’s appeal for community support
Zahid Badroodien expressed his gratitude for the unit’s unwavering dedication and underscored their essential role in ensuring the continuity of Cape Town’s water and sanitation services. He highlighted that without the security provided by the unit, much of the critical maintenance work in volatile communities would be impossible.
‘Sadly, much of the essential maintenance to water and sanitation infrastructure cannot proceed in volatile communities, without the support of the Security and Protection Unit. They play a vital role in the success of operational teams during repairs. Through their efforts in mitigating risks to personal safety while work is being carried out on site, it enables service delivery to continue across all areas in the city,’ said Badroodien.
He made a heartfelt appeal to residents, encouraging them to actively support the safety of Water and Sanitation staff: ‘Our heartfelt request to residents is to extend this safety net to Water and Sanitation staff, by supporting them when they work in their areas.’
With a city as large and diverse as Cape Town, the work of the Security and Protection Unit is more important than ever. Their tireless efforts ensure that critical services continue uninterrupted, even in the most challenging conditions. As the unit expands, their commitment to the city’s infrastructure and public safety will remain a cornerstone of Cape Town’s continued growth and prosperity.
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https://www.capetownetc.com/news/cape-town-to-go-cashless-at-popular-nature-reserves/
Picture: City of Cape Town
