Premier Winde & Minister Marais conduct an oversight visit to Manenberg SAPS

Joint Media Release: Following LEAP officers' deployment to Manenberg, Premier Winde & Minister Marais conduct an oversight visit to Manenberg SAPS.

Since 11 March 2022, the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) law enforcement officers have been deployed to assist in stabilising the flare-up in gang-related violence in Manenberg.

Following this deployment, the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, and the Acting Provincial Minister of Community Safety, Anroux Marais, conducted an oversight visit to Manenberg SAPS.

The Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, explained: “Today’s meeting follows the recent spate in gang-related violence that we have seen in communities including Manenberg. In meeting with General Dyantyi, Brigadier Zama and Colonel Muller, we received a briefing on the reported escalation of gang-related violence in the community and steps taken in an integrated manner to address it.” 

Those LEAP officers deployed to Manenberg form part of the LEAP Reaction Unit which are assisting SAPS, along with other stakeholders including the Department of Community Safety, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Asset Forfeiture Unit. Together, this integrated effort aims to reduce gang-related murders and attempted murders by halting gang activity.

To date, LEAP officers deployed to Manenberg, have:

• Searched 368 persons;
• Searched 16 houses; and
• Conducted 10 vehicle checkpoints.

As of yesterday, integrated efforts with LEAP, SAPS and other stakeholders have further made gains in addressing gang-related violence, including:

• Bringing 9 males, between 25 and 39 years, in for questioning regarding the murders of opposing gang members.
• Arresting 1 25-year-old male who was charged for the murder of a 24-year-old male, killed on Friday 11 March 2022.
• Arresting 4 individuals for the possession of firearms and ammunition in hotspot areas.
• Arresting 1 27-year-old male for the possession of 9mm rounds of ammunition.
• Recovering 1 firearm which was abandoned by a suspect.
• To date, arresting 22 males and a female for the possession of drugs.

Since 28 February 2022, SAPS has seen an escalation in gang-related violence in Manenberg. Since 7 March, it is estimated that approximately 10 people were killed in the gang-related conflict within the community.

The Acting Minister of Community Safety, Anroux Marais, said: “Going forward, the Department of Community Safety will look at how we can support NHWs through the registration of uncertified Neighbourhood Watches in the community. From March 2020, 10 NHW structures have been supported, of which 5 have received funding, 8 have received resources and 5 received training in Manenberg.”

Minister Marais concluded: “During the meeting, we reiterated that the Western Cape Government aims to halve the murder rate by 2029 through its Provincial Safety Plan. That is why I am pleased to see that LEAP, that were deployed through the Safety Plan, are playing their part in achieving this aim. We remain committed to supporting SAPS in their aim of fighting crime and I also want to sincerely thank each SAPS, Law Enforcement, Metro Police, CPF and NHW member who are playing their part in making our communities safer.”

Premier Winde concluded: “One murder is one murder too many and so we must ensure a speedy, integrated response to stabilise Manenberg immediately.