Minister Marais condemns attacks on LEAP Officers in Hanover Park
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has strongly condemned the attacks on Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers who came under violent assault from community members while responding to gang-related gunfire in Hanover Park on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
LEAP officers in Hanover Park were on patrol when they heard gunshots. Officers immediately responded and drove into an active shooting incident between rival gangs.
Additional support vehicles from Elsies River and Manenberg responded after members called for assistance. During the operation, one officer spotted a suspected gunman and gave chase. The suspect was apprehended and searched, and a firearm was recovered.
However, the situation quickly escalated when a group of community members began throwing stones at the officers and attempted to attack them in an effort to prevent the suspect from being arrested. Two officers were struck with stones fortunately without serious injury. Due to the growing threat to their safety, officers were forced to release the suspect and withdraw from the scene to protect themselves.
The recovered firearm, a .38 Special revolver containing one live round and four empty cartridges, was secured and later booked in as evidence at Philippi police station.
Later that evening, at approximately 21:45, LEAP members returned to the area on foot in a coordinated operation with officers from Gugulethu and Nyanga, while vehicles patrolled the outer perimeter. Despite searching several locations where the suspect is known to frequent, he was not located.
At approximately 23:00, officers were alerted by civilians to a shooting in Summit Road. Upon responding, members found a man on the scene who had been fatally shot.
Minister Marais said the incident highlights a deeply concerning trend in which communities that suffer under violent crime and gang activity, prevent officers from apprehending the very criminals responsible for the bloodshed.
“It is extremely concerning that officers who risk their lives to protect communities are being attacked while carrying out their duties. The individuals responsible for these shootings are the same perpetrators who continue to terrorise residents and contribute to the tragic loss of life on the Cape Flats,” said Minister Marais.
Minister Marais further noted that this was not the first time that community interference had allowed a suspect to evade justice in Hanover Park.
On 17 February 2026, LEAP Reaction Unit members arrested a suspect for possession of a prohibited firearm at Moray Court in Hanover Park. During the arrest, officers also came under attack from members of the community, allowing the suspect to escape. The firearm was subsequently booked as abandoned evidence. The suspect was later arrested at his residence and linked back to the firearm offence.
“In both of these incidents, the actions of certain individuals in the community allowed suspects to evade arrest. In the most recent incident, the same suspect who was allowed to escape remains a known perpetrator in the area,” Minister Marais added.
“Law enforcement agencies remain committed to pursuing those responsible and ensuring they are brought to justice”, Minister Marais said.
“I appeal to residents to desist from attacking law enforcement officers who are trying to remove violent criminals from their communities. These officers are working to protect lives and restore safety. Communities must work with law enforcement, not against them,” she added.
Minister Marais urged residents to report criminal activity anonymously through the following channels:
- The South African Police Service Crime Stop toll-free line: 08600 10111
- The MySAPS mobile application
- The City of Cape Town anonymous tip-off line: 0800 110 077
“All information can be shared anonymously. Community cooperation is critical if we are to stop the cycle of violence and bring those responsible for the bloodshed in our communities to justice,” Minister Marais concluded.
Media Enquiries:
Kurt Nefdt
Acting MLO to Minister Anroux Marais
0842851975