Law Enforcement deployment sees murder cases drop in hotspot areas

The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate has noted a drop in murder cases and an increase in drug confiscations by law enforcement since their deployment in crime hotspot areas.

Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers were deployed in areas with the highest murder rates according to the SAPS crime statistics, including Delft, Khayelitsha, Philippi East, Nyanga, Mitchells Plain, and Gugulethu, since September 2024.

Additionally, a specialised Reaction Unit of 120 members was launched to respond to sudden, violent flare-ups in other areas like Hanover Park, Manenberg, Atlantis, Kraaifontein, and Elsies River.

According to the directorate, a 41% increase in drug confiscations was recorded in the last 11 months. Officers reportedly also removed 148 firearms and nearly 1 500 rounds of ammunition from the streets of the areas where they are deployed.

In addition to the firearm and contraband confiscations between July 2025 and April this year, LEAP officers have also recorded increases in overall arrests and several other categories, including proactive inspections of premises like scrap yards and liquor outlets.

leap officers

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says these statistics are encouraging, particularly the increase in confiscations.

“Officers are taking, on average, more than a dozen firearms off the street every month, and the near 50% increase in drug confiscations too is something to be proud of, particularly with the commemoration of World Drug Day on 26 June,”

According to Smith, a review of the most recent crime statistics also showed a reduction in the number of murders in all but one of the areas where our LEAP deployment is active.

“While encouraging, we are under no illusion that a lot more work needs to be done.”

LEAP officers are reportedly also increasingly being requested to assist with safeguarding City officials in high crime areas to ensure service delivery continues amid ongoing threats of extortion and crime.