Western Cape police, together with members of the SANDF and other law enforcement partners, say they are maintaining their focus on crime hotspots across the province, with the deployment under Operation Prosper gaining some momentum after 28 arrests in just a week.

The office of the outgoing provincial police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, says members are piling the pressure on criminals, as evidenced by the integrated operations conducted between 8 and 14 June.

Operations were conducted in Delft, Elsies River, Gugulethu, Harare, Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein, Manenberg, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Muizenberg, Nyanga, Philippi, Philippi East, Samora Machel and Steenberg over the period in question.

The operations included foot and vehicle patrols, vehicle checkpoints, stop-and-search actions, compliance inspections and intelligence-led interventions aimed at preventing crime, disrupting criminal activity and enhancing the visibility of law enforcement in communities affected by serious and violent crime.

More than 500 members, drawn from SAPS, the SANDF, and municipal law enforcement agencies, participated in the operations.

“Their combined efforts resulted in the arrest of 28 suspects on charges including murder, attempted murder, drug-related offences, the illegal possession of a firearm, possession of dangerous weapons, illegal liquor trading and other crimes.”

An assortment of drugs, as well as dangerous weapons, alcohol and cash, suspected to be linked to criminal activity, was also confiscated.

“While arrests and confiscations remain important outcomes, Operation Prosper is equally focused on maintaining a visible law enforcement presence, gathering intelligence, disrupting criminal networks and creating safer environments for residents living in crime-affected communities.”

Patekile says that since the beginning of Operation Prosper in April 2026, some identified hotspots are showing signs of stabilisation, while others continue to require focused intervention.

He says SAPS, together with the SANDF and other law enforcement partners, will continue to conduct intelligence-led operations every week.

“While meaningful progress has been made in certain precincts, sustained operational pressure remains essential to turning the corner in communities still affected by violent crime.”

On 19 and 20 May, Operation Prosper members arrested nine suspects in Rosendal and Delft, uncovering cocaine, tik and mandrax amongst other drugs.

On 30 May, the anti-gang unit, supported by the SANDF, arrested two men in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition in two separate incidents in Tafelsig and Mitchells Plain.

One of the men was wanted on two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder on a case reported earlier in May.

Operation Prosper members have also conducted raids on illegal liquor outlets in Gugulethu.