LEAP vehicles damaged in Hanover Park

I am deeply disturbed that three Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) vehicles were damaged over the weekend in Hanover Park. While LEAP officers were arresting a suspect, it is alleged that certain community members attacked the officers and subsequently damaged their vehicles, in an attempt to free the suspect. Although initially successful, he was rearrested.

Unfortunately, these vehicles are now out of commission and unable to be used in crime fighting efforts in an area where it is much needed.

This is unacceptable behaviour and I condemn it in the strongest terms. The community members who allegedly participated in this lawless act should know that they have made themselves guilty of interference and obstructed officers of the law in executing their duties. Investigations are currently underway and where a case can be made against anyone complicit, the law will have to take its course.

Hanover Park is an area that is plagued by gang violence, and which we are committed to servicing by actively addressing crime. This is part of the reason why we have increased our LEAP deployment, and the City of Cape Town has also ensured that additional law enforcement agencies are present in the area.

I urge law-abiding community members to provide us with information about who allegedly participated in this lawless act, so that they can be arrested. Like all other communities, as the Western Cape Government, we want to rid our areas of gangs and crime, to offer our residents safer and more dignified neighbourhoods.

I would like to thank and commend our LEAP officers for their commitment and continued work to make Hanover Park and other communities safer. Despite such challenges, they have shown incredible resilience and fortitude.