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The deployment of Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers in key high-crime areas of Cape Town has been linked to a significant reduction in violent crime.

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, stated that the expanded presence of LEAP officers in some of the most affected communities is making a measurable impact. In September 2024, the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town doubled the number of LEAP officers in neighbourhoods with high murder rates. The approach was designed to increase law enforcement visibility and included the creation of a Roving Reaction Unit to respond quickly to emerging violent incidents.

Since the rollout of this strategy, four of the six targeted precincts have seen a notable decrease in homicides. Gugulethu experienced a 30% drop, and Nyanga saw a 29% reduction. Meanwhile, Delft and Philippi East recorded modest increases in murder rates—1.9% and 9.1%, respectively.

This effort is part of the broader “Hotspot Policing Project,” a collaboration involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town, the Institute for Security Studies, and the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The project applies data-driven policing in areas such as Khayelitsha, Delft, Gugulethu, and Nyanga.

Beyond decreasing murder rates, LEAP officers have stepped up broader enforcement efforts. Between September 2024 and March 2025, firearm-related arrests rose from 29 to 53 compared to the previous year, and total arrests more than doubled—from 2,339 to 4,931.

Minister Marais highlighted the crucial role these officers play, particularly in light of ongoing staffing shortages at many police stations. She called on the National Police Commissioner to accelerate the implementation of the policing Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Western Cape Government, SAPS, and the City. This agreement aims to strengthen coordination in tackling violent crime across the province.

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Picture: Western Cape Government

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