LEAP Officers confiscate 18 firearms during June

The Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers are continuing to work towards creating safer communities. Between 29 May 2023 to 2 July 2023, LEAP officers confiscated 18 firearms and arrested 994 suspects for an array of offenses. LEAP, which stems from the Western Cape Safety Plan (WCSP) is an initiative of the Western Cape Government (WCG) in partnership with the City of Cape Town (CoCT).

The firearms confiscated are:

• 1x Firearm in Harare
• 1x Pistol and 1x Firearm in Manenberg 
• 1x Firearm and 1x Firearm in Samora Machel
• 2x Pistols in Gugulethu
• 1x Zip gun in Atlantis
• 1x Revolver and 1x Zip-Gun in Kraaifontein
• 1x Pistol in Khayelitsha
• 1x Pistol and 2x Firearms in Philippi East
• 1x Revolver in Delft
• 1x Revolver and 1x Pistol in Bishop Lavis
• 1x Firearm in Mitchells Plain

Amongst others, the arrests included:

• 20 for the possession of illegal firearms,
• 10 for the possession of imitation firearms,
• 66 for the possession of dangerous weapons,
• 693 for the possession of drugs and
• 22 for dealing in drugs.

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, said: “These confiscations and arrests are hugely significant, especially since firearms are the leading weapon being used to commit murders. Since inception to 2 July 2023, LEAP officers have confiscated 381 firearms. I thank our LEAP officers who on a daily basis go into dangerous areas to make it safer. As the Western Cape Government, we will continue in our efforts to reduce crime in general. Our particular aim is to decrease 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.

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.

“All of us have a role to play in assisting our LEAP officers. This can be done in various ways, including providing information about the whereabouts of illegal firearms, potential crimes that are being planned, along with where the hideouts of suspects and criminals are. Most importantly, I urge our communities to not be a hindrance to any law enforcement officer, including SAPS when they need to execute their duties. If we are serious about eradicating crime, then we need to work together,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.