The Western Cape Government has welcomed the deployment of more than 400 newly trained South African Police Service (SAPS) officers to bolster festive season operations across the province.

In a statement issued on 21 December 2026, Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, said the additional officers will significantly strengthen visible policing and crime-fighting capacity during one of the busiest periods of the year.

Marais described the deployment as a positive response to the provincial government’s long-standing calls for increased policing resources, noting that the Western Cape continues to carry a disproportionate burden of serious and violent crime.

“This increased deployment is an important step in strengthening our collective ability to protect communities during the festive season, when crime patterns often intensify and public spaces become busier.”

Premier Alan Winde also welcomed the additional officers but stressed that more resources are still needed.

“I welcome the announcement of 400 new SAPS officers who will join the festive season operations. This is a good start, but we need to see a lot more boots on the ground,” Winde said.

“We hope this marks the beginning of a new wave of SAPS recruitment that will dramatically increase deployments across the province.”

The MEC further praised the level of inter-agency cooperation displayed at a parade held at 35 Squadron in Belhar.

The event brought together the newly trained SAPS members alongside the City of Cape Town’s Metro Police, the City’s Specialised Services and Investigations Unit (SSIU), Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers, and Immigration Officers from the Department of Home Affairs.

Marais said such collaboration is critical in confronting the persistent surge in violent crime.

“No single agency can tackle violent crime alone. It is only through coordinated operations, shared intelligence and visible joint deployments that we can disrupt criminal networks and restore safety to our neighbourhoods.”

She also called on residents to play their part by supporting law enforcement and reporting criminal activity.

“Safety is a shared responsibility,” Marais said. “We need communities to stand with our law enforcement agencies as we confront the ruthless criminals who are holding our communities hostage.”

The Western Cape Government said it will continue to lobby for additional policing resources while strengthening partnerships and oversight to ensure officers are effectively deployed to protect lives and uphold the rule of law during the festive season and beyond.