The City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government’s (WCG) Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) revealed a series of murals across the City to showcase the achievements of LEAP officers.
Also read: LEAP: More than 1 150 suspects arrested during February
Premier Alan Winde says the main goal of these murals is to raise awareness about the valuable work done by LEAP members in enhancing community safety. The murals are spread throughout LEAP deployment areas and display the number of arrests made in those areas.
In total, more than 27 000 arrests have been made since LEAP was launched in 2020. In Kraaifontein alone, 3 895 suspected criminals have been apprehended since 2020.
Recent South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics indicate a decrease in murders in the Kraaifontein area during the 3rd quarter of 2023/24.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Appreciate the beauty of Cape Town with a 60-minute cruise for R155 (valued at R310). Get it here.
During a visit to the Kraaifontein murals, Officer Lindelani Maxham told Winde that the area needs a CCTV system and ShotSpotter to improve the work of officers in the area.
He also noted that although LEAP members have a good working relationship with their South African Police Service (SAPS) counterparts, they still require feedback from the National Prosecuting Authority regarding the progress of cases resulting from their arrests in the criminal justice system.
‘This is why we want management of policing in the province,’ Winde said. ‘To have not just an oversight role but to further bolster our crime-fighting efforts by properly resourcing law enforcement bodies.’
LEAP officers are currently deployed in thirteen areas, of which 10 areas form part of the top 10 murder areas in the Western Cape.
These include areas such as:
- Delft
- Gugulethu
- Harare
- Khayelitsha (Site B policing precinct)
- Kraaifontein
- Mfuleni
- Mitchells Plain
- Nyanga
- Philippi East
- Samora Machel
The other high crime areas where they are deployed to, are:
- Atlantis
- Bishop Lavis
- Hanover Park
- Lavender Hill
- Steenberg
- Grassy Park
The Western Cape Safety Plan, which guides LEAP, stresses the importance of data-driven and evidence-based policing. This includes using technology like drones and cameras to enhance law enforcement efforts.
The table below indicates the number of arrests made so far in LEAP priority areas:
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under R100 000. Find car listings here.
Also read:
LEAP officers nab two in Khayelitsha with 256kg stolen copper cables (capetownetc.com)
Picture: Minister Reagen Allen / Facebook