Minister Marais commends LEAP officers for removing firearms and drugs from communities
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has commended the valuable contribution made by officers from Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) – a safety initiative driven by the Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town - in removing illegal firearms, ammunition and drugs from communities across the Cape Flats.
These confiscations form part of ongoing joint operations with the South African Police Service (SAPS), where LEAP officers continue to act as a critical force multiplier in high-crime precincts.
In the first week of March 2026, LEAP officers removed a significant number of drugs and firearms from the streets. In Delft, officers acting on information received from the community conducted a search of a property in Eindhoven where 910 mandrax tablets were discovered. A 22-year-old suspect was arrested.
In Hanover Park, officers conducting hotspot patrols confiscated a prohibited firearm with its serial number filed off in New Fields Village. The firearm was handed over to SAPS at Philippi Police Station for further investigation. During a separate patrol in Surwood Walk, Hanover Park, officers confiscated a .38 Special firearm together with five live rounds of ammunition.
In Gugulethu, officers on patrol in Waude Street in KTC pursued a suspect who attempted to flee when approached. Upon apprehension, officers discovered an AK-47 rifle in the suspect’s possession. The suspect was transported to Gugulethu SAPS for processing.
Additional confiscations included 51 dagga joints, 170 full mandrax tablets and nine rounds of live ammunition.
Minister Marais said that these successes demonstrate the important role LEAP plays as a force multiplier, the impact of visible policing and strong partnerships between law enforcement agencies and communities.
“These confiscations represent a direct blow to the criminal economy that fuels gang violence and organised crime in many of our communities. Every firearm and every consignment of drugs removed from our streets helps prevent further violence and protects innocent lives,” said Minister Marais.
Several of these confiscations were made during hotspot patrols conducted as part of the Hotspot Policing Project. This evidence-based initiative brings together SAPS, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government to focus policing resources on specific crime hotspots at times when criminal activity is most likely to occur.
The project is supported by the Institute for Security Studies and the Hanns Seidel Foundation and has been rolled out to additional precincts after results showed a measurable reduction in violent crime in targeted areas.
Minister Marais said, “The Hotspot Policing Project is proving that evidence-based policing works. By concentrating patrols and enforcement in areas where data shows crime is most likely to occur, we are able to disrupt criminal activity more effectively”.
Minister Marais also applauded residents who continue to provide valuable information to officers on patrol.
“Our communities play an essential role in the fight against crime. Many of these successes are the direct result of tip-offs from residents who refuse to allow criminals to operate freely in their neighbourhoods. I want to thank those who continue to come forward with information.”, Minister Marais said
Minister Marais further called for stronger support from national government to sustain and enhance crime-fighting efforts. “To further bolster our efforts, we desperately need SAPS to be better resourced in our province and for investigative powers to be extended to municipal law enforcement.”
“We must continue to strengthen crime intelligence, properly resource specialised units, and expand investigation powers to Metro Police so that officers are able to investigate cases arising from arrests and confiscations they initiate. These steps will significantly improve our collective ability to dismantle criminal networks and secure more convictions”, Minister Marais added.
She also urged operational commanders to ensure that hotspot patrols are supported by strong command and control measures to ensure compliance.
“Effective supervision and coordinated operational planning are essential to ensure that the hotspot policing model continues to deliver results where it matters most.”
Minister Marais encouraged residents to keep reporting crime and sharing information with law enforcement agencies.
Media Enquiries:
Kurt Nefdt
Acting MLO to Minister Anroux Marais
Cell: 084 285 1975
Email: Kurt.Nefdt@westerncape.gov.za