Western Cape Government's LEAP Officers continue to deliver tangible results in the fight against violent crime
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has commended the efforts of the Western Cape Government's Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers, who continue making a significant contribution to reducing violent crime.
The latest operational results from LEAP deployments across identified crime hotspots in the Cape Metro demonstrate the critical role these officers play in supporting the South African Police Service (SAPS) in combating serious and violent crime.
During the five-week period from 27 April to 31 May 2026, LEAP officers:
- Searched more than 24 800 persons and 1 180 houses;
- Conducted 225 roadblocks and searched over 2 500 vehicles;
- Executed more than 2 500 evidence-based hotspot patrols;
- Participated in 601 joint operations with SAPS;
- Responded to numerous ShotSpotter and Eagle Eye alerts;
- Effected 1 046 arrests in priority policing areas.
Importantly, LEAP officers were directly responsible for removing dangerous weapons and drugs from communities. During the reporting period, officers confiscated:
- 15 firearms, including prohibited firearms and zip guns;
- 99 rounds of live ammunition;
- Significant quantities of illegal drugs, including mandrax, tik, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and dagga;
- Hundreds of litres of illegally traded liquor; and
- Various items of stolen property, including vehicles, electronics and infrastructure-related materials.
Among the notable successes were firearm-related arrests in Delft, Gugulethu, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Nyanga and Philippi, where LEAP officers recovered multiple illegal firearms and ammunition while conducting proactive patrols and responding to incidents reported by residents.
Minister Marais said the statistics demonstrate the value of sustained law enforcement visibility and targeted interventions in communities most affected by gang violence, drug trafficking and violent crime.
Minister Marais said, "Every illegal firearm removed from our streets represents lives potentially saved. Every drug arrest disrupts criminal networks that fuel violence and instability in our communities. These successes highlight the determination and professionalism of our LEAP officers, who continue to place themselves in harm's way to protect residents."
Minister Marais noted that while crime levels in many communities remain unacceptably high, the province's investment in LEAP is helping to strengthen crime-fighting efforts where they are needed most.
"The crime situation in many parts of the Cape Metro is far from ideal. Too many families continue to experience the devastating consequences of murder, gang violence and drug-related crime. However, there can be little doubt that the situation would be considerably worse had the Western Cape Government not made the unprecedented investment to place more than 1 200 additional law enforcement officers on the ground in support of SAPS", Minister Marais added.
The LEAP programme remains one of the largest provincial investments in municipal law enforcement in South Africa and aims to reduce violent crime and increase safety in communities.
"While policing is a national government competency, the Western Cape Government has chosen not to stand by while our communities suffer. Through LEAP, we have invested substantial resources to support crime prevention efforts, improve law enforcement visibility and assist SAPS in disrupting criminal activity. The results achieved by our officers show that this investment is making a real difference", Minister Marais added.
Minister Marais further thanked LEAP officers, SAPS members, municipal law enforcement agencies and community safety partners for their continued commitment to creating safer communities.
Media Enquiries:
Kurt Nefdt
Acting Media Liaison Officer to Minister Anroux Marais
Cell: 084 285 1975
Email: Kurt.Nefdt@westerncape.gov.za