Cape Town is set to roll out its largest-ever festive season safety operation, with over 5,000 personnel ensuring the safety of residents and visitors during the city’s bustling summer tourism period.

The initiative was officially launched on November 13 during a road safety operation at Table View beachfront, attended by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.

This year’s deployment includes over 4,000 uniformed enforcement and emergency personnel, supplemented by trainees from the Project 1000 learnership programme. The high-visibility operation will span key tourist areas, including Table Mountain trails, beaches, shopping precincts, and business districts.

Mayor Hill-Lewis expressed the City’s commitment to ensuring a safe and enjoyable festive season, emphasizing the economic significance of tourism.

“Tourism supports tens of thousands of local jobs. Our priority is to ensure visitors have a marvellous time while experiencing Cape Town’s world-class attractions.”

The safety strategy includes advanced technology, such as drones patrolling beaches and mountains, body cameras on officers, automatic number plate recognition, and Africa’s largest CCTV network.

Operations will be coordinated from the Traffic Management Centre in Goodwood, with additional support from area-specific Joint Operational Centres (JOCs).

Increased vehicle checkpoints on routes to popular destinations will target alcohol use and anti-social behaviour. Additionally, over 600 lifeguards will be stationed at beaches and pools as part of the City’s drowning prevention campaign.

Smith encouraged responsible celebration, noting that alcohol misuse remains a significant challenge. “Our by-laws are clear, and we will act firmly to ensure public safety,” he stated.

“The City is pulling out all of the stops to make the festive season as safe and enjoyable for all law-abiding citizens and visitors. I appreciate that people will want to let their hair down, but I encourage them to do so responsibly and be part of the solution and not the problem. Alcohol misuse remains one of our biggest challenges, particularly on our roads, and in our recreational spaces.”

The City’s “Spring Clean Cape Town” campaign will complement safety efforts and enhance cleaning services at beaches, scenic routes, and business districts. Visitors can also expect appearances from the City’s anti-litter mascot, Bingo, promoting a clean and welcoming environment.