LEAP officers make inroads on crime in the Cape Metro

The Western Cape Government’s Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers have reportedly confiscated 5 firearms, 99 rounds of live ammunition, significant quantities of illegal drugs, hundreds of litres of illegally traded liquor, and various items of stolen property.

According to Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Anroux Marais, this is the latest operational results from the more than 1 200 additional law enforcement officers deployed across identified crime hotspots to help the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Cape Metro in combating serious and violent crime.

Between 27 April and 31 May 2026, LEAP officers reportedly searched more than 24,800 persons and 1,180 houses, conducted 225 roadblocks, searched over 2,500 vehicles, executed more than 2,500 evidence-based hotspot patrols, participated in 601 joint operations with SAPS, responded to numerous ShotSpotter and Eagle Eye alerts and effected 1,046 arrests in priority policing areas.

In a statement, Marais added that LEAP officers were directly responsible for removing dangerous weapons and drugs from communities.

Among the notable successes were firearm-related arrests in Delft, Gugulethu, Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Nyanga and Philippi, where LEAP officers recovered multiple illegal firearms and ammunition during patrols and while responding to incidents reported by residents.

“the statistics demonstrate the value of sustained law enforcement visibility and targeted interventions in communities most affected by gang violence, drug trafficking and violent crime.” added Marais

Marais noted that while crime levels in many communities remain unacceptably high, the province’s investment in LEAP is helping to strengthen crime-fighting efforts where they are needed most.

“The crime situation in many parts of the Cape Metro is far from ideal. Too many families continue to experience the devastating consequences of murder, gang violence and drug-related crime.”

The minister, however, added that the situation would be considerably worse if additional law enforcement officers were not deployed on the ground in support of SAPS.