Presidency concedes it is under-resourcing Cape Town police stations
15 February 2023
‘Around 71% of police stations in our region are under-resourced by the national government. This is why we have deployed over 1 200 new municipal law enforcement officers to the highest crime precincts as part of the LEAP programme together with the Western Cape Government.
‘While Minister Gungubele clearly missed the mark in trying to land a political attack, his admission is helpful in making a point we have been making for years: Many Cape Town police stations, particularly in the most crime-afflicted communities, urgently need more resources. We hope the Minister’s inadvertent discovery that he and the national government actually run police stations spurs him to do something about this resource shortfall, particularly on the Cape Flats. While gang, gun and drug crime rages on, there are innocent people, including children, caught in the cross-fire. Yet conviction rates for gang crime are in the lower single digits,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.
The Mayor said the City continues to call for more policing powers to be devolved to the City as this would undoubtedly help in making Cape Town safer. 'Our well-trained, trustworthy municipal law enforcement officers are immediately available to help SAPS fight crime, if they have the powers we are asking for.
‘Our officers are already out there taking guns and drugs off the streets daily, but with more policing powers they can build prosecution-ready case dockets and gain convictions to bring lasting change in high-crime areas.
‘All that is required to devolve more peace officer powers is a declaration from the Justice Minister under the Criminal Procedure Act, as was already done to an extent in 2018. Last week, I again wrote to both the Ministers of Police and Justice calling for this simple, immediate way to bring meaningful change for residents.
‘We will never stop standing up for Capetonians who live in daily fear of crime, and children should feel safe to play outside. That is the Cape Town we are striving towards, where there is freedom of movement for residents and a chance at a better life,’ said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
Mayor Hill-Lewis added that police resourcing is about more than just officers, and extends to vehicles, computers and cutting edge safety technology.
Cape Town is leading the way in the use of data and tech - from drones to dashcams.
Municipal Law Enforcement has more than tripled its arrest rate in recent years due to increased investment, with 50% of these arrests being drug-related.
In partnership with the Western Cape Government, the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) has collectively delivered 1 200 new officers in communities impacted by high crime rates, including Delft, Nyanga, Khayelitsha (Site C), Philippi (inclusive of Hanover Park), Bishop Lavis, Mfuleni, Harare, Gugulethu, Kraaifontein, Mitchells Plain, Atlantis, Philippi East, and Samora Machel.
Including the efforts of Metro Police and the Traffic Service, the City has removed close to 400 firearms in total off the streets in the past financial year. With these achievements, our officers are already helping the SAPS reduce murders and other violent crimes.
Issued by Media Office, City of Cape Town, 15 February 2023
