LEAP officers have pushed back at claims their pay was cut, insisting the council-approved salary structure remains in place as political tension grows in Cape Town, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Alderman JP Smith, writing on his JP4Safety Facebook page, said the National Civic Council had previously criticised the unit and was now ‘manufacturing outrage’ for political gain.
He wrote: ‘No LEAP members are having their salaries “reduced”‘ and urged the public to verify claims before accepting them as fact.
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The Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) is a joint provincial and City programme that places trained officers into high-crime precincts to boost visible policing and support under-resourced SAPS stations.
The Western Cape Government describes LEAP as a data-led deployment focused on stabilising hotspot areas (Western Cape Government).
Smith listed recent operational results to illustrate the unit’s activity, noting arrests for unlawful firearm possession, the recovery of ammunition, and more than 3 000 stop searches in hotspot areas over a short period. He thanked officers for remaining on duty over the holidays and for delivering ‘consistent results’ in challenging conditions.
Residents in deployment areas welcomed the visible presence, saying increased patrols helped them feel safer.
The City and provincial LEAP partners say further authority for investigations still rests with SAPS, underlining the need for coordinated national support.
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Picture: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images
