Big LEAP in Arrests

Between 27 February 2023 and 2 April 2023, the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers once again flexed their muscle in the priority areas where they are deployed. LEAP officers arrested 1 264 individuals for various offences, while confiscating 21 firearms. These consisted of 15 unlawful and 6 imitation firearms. LEAP is an initiative of the Western Cape Government (WCG) and is run in partnership with the City of Cape Town.

Amongst others, the arrests included:

• 10 for the possession of illegal firearms
• 9 for the possession of imitation firearms
• 58 for the possession of dangerous weapons and
• 890 for the possession of drugs

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said: “It is always pleasing to note how LEAP is ensuring that criminals are arrested and removed from our streets. It is important that as these arrests are made, criminals remain behind bars and are not provided with an opportunity to roam our streets without facing the consequences of their criminal activity. As the Western Cape Government (WCG), we want to ensure that our residents can live free of fear.”

Minister Reagen Allen continued: “To ensure the continued empowerment of LEAP, we have set aside R 350 million for the 2023/24 financial year. LEAP plays a critical role in the implementation of our Safety Plan, where we have a clear goal, and that is to reduce the murder rate by 50% by 2029.”

LEAP is strategically deployed, and its operations are based on evidence and data. This approach is also used as part of monitoring and evaluation to determine the effectiveness of LEAP and inform a cycle of continuous improvement. This includes our top 10 murder areas in the Western Cape, such as 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.

During the same period, LEAP officers have amongst others:

• Searched 46 280 persons,
• Searched 2 559 houses,
• Conducted 924 patrols in hotspot areas,
• Conducted 40 roadblocks and
• Searched 357 vehicles.

LEAP officers work with a multitude of law enforcement agencies which is inclusive of 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.

“If we are to be successful in our efforts to eradicate crime from our communities, it is vital that we all pull in the same direction. I urge community members to support the efforts of LEAP and other law enforcement agencies, as this will assist in achieving more success in our fight against crime,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.