The City of Cape Town is making it easy for residents to report crimes by introducing a new feature to its mobile App that lets people quickly report by-law problems.

Residents can now report several crimes, using 17 sub-categories, including metal theft, public drinking, abandoned or broken-down vehicles, problem buildings, and poaching.

The City’s Safety and Security Directorate says should there be any challenges in reporting certain crimes, the user will be redirected to the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) number on 021 480 7700.

Among the benefits of the Safety and Security reporting feature are the following:

•  Reporting via the App uses minimal data, and the City hopes to make this a free-use App in the future.
• All reports are automatically geolocated and routed to the relevant City departments to ensure efficient response and follow-up.
• The ability to submit accurate details, including photographs, enables faster and more effective incident reporting.
• Reports can be submitted discreetly, allowing users to log incidents without drawing attention to themselves in public spaces.
• Registered Users receive Safety and Security alerts, helping to improve awareness of reported incidents in surrounding areas. These alerts are based on incidents logged with the City.
• Reporting via the App reduces pressure on the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC)

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says this is one of the many ways the City plans to strengthen partnerships with the community, making sure that they are able to access services easily.

“We are incredibly proud and excited about this milestone. It follows the development of a functionality in 2024, linking the deaf community and persons who are hard of hearing directly to the PECC via the City’s App. Now, the public can start logging incidents too. So many of our successes come via tip-offs or reports from the public, just another example of how critical a role everyone has in advancing public safety.”

The App is now available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Smith says the App already allows users to log service requests.

“Residents can also provide feedback on public issues, access and settle municipal bills via e-Services, and stay informed about planned service outages and road closures.”

After years of neglect, illegal occupation, and vandalism, the Hangberg Civic Centre has been restored and officially reopened, marking what the City of Cape Town calls a renewed investment in community life in Hout Bay.

The centre, once stripped and left in ruins, has been repaired at a cost of just over R1.9 million. Damaged roofs, broken windows, cracked walls, and vandalised interiors have all been fixed, bringing the building back to life.

Nearby, the Hangberg Recreation Centre has also been refurbished, with another R1.9 million spent on repairs to roofing and plumbing. Across the area, upgrades to sports facilities push total investment to more than R9 million.

For many residents, the reopening carries deep emotional weight. These were once vibrant spaces for weddings, celebrations, memorials, and youth programmes, before years of deterioration shut them down.

Councillor Rob Quintas described the civic centre as “part of the fabric of Hangberg.”

“For years, residents were robbed of this much-loved hall due to illegal occupiers stripping it to a shell, and I know that loss was felt deeply by our seniors’ groups, community performers, and many others. From now on, new memories will be made here. Birthday parties, church gatherings, maybe even a wedding or two. That is what this centre was always meant for,” he added.

The City says the repairs go beyond buildings and infrastructure, aiming to restore safe spaces for young people. Councillor Francine Higham said she was encouraged to see the facilities already in use.

“During a recent visit to the facilities, it was encouraging to see these spaces already alive with activity, filled with young people running, playing, and making full use of what is on offer. These facilities provide safe, accessible environments that create positive alternatives and opportunities for young people, helping to steer them away from gangs and crime. And so, I am overjoyed that we are able to return these important facilities to the community,” she stressed.

Work on the sites included restoring sports fields, fixing drainage and flood damage, repairing fencing and goalposts, and addressing long-standing plumbing and electrical issues.