Minister Marais welcomes graduation of 15 new Peace Officers in Breede River Municipality

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has welcomed the graduation of 15 new Peace Officers in the Breede Valley Municipality on Friday, 12 June 2026.

The graduates successfully completed the accredited Peace Officer and Traffic Warden training programme and will now be equipped to support local law enforcement efforts, enhance crime prevention initiatives, and contribute to safer communities across the municipality.

The Peace Officer programme forms part of the Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety's commitment to strengthening Municipal Law Enforcement capacity in terms of the Department's Annual Performance Plan (APP) 2026/27 and the Western Cape Government`s Safety Strategy. Through this initiative, the Department aims to bolster and support law enforcement capacity in each of the province's 24 B-Municipality Law Enforcement Departments.

The 30-day accredited programme provided participants with both theoretical and practical training in key law enforcement disciplines, including criminal law, traffic management, law enforcement procedures, evidence handling, professional conduct, and organisational ethics.

Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates received two SAQA-accredited certificates:

• SAQA ID 377224 – Peace Officer and Traffic Warden; and
• SAQA ID 120746 – Professional Conduct and Organisational Ethics.

Minister Marais said: "This programme demonstrates how strategic investment in municipal law enforcement can deliver multiple benefits for our communities. Not only are we strengthening local law enforcement capacity and creating safer communities, but we are also equipping young people with accredited skills, valuable work experience, and real pathways to employment. The success of previous graduates in securing continued employment is proof that this initiative is making a tangible difference in people's lives."

The Western Cape Government remains committed to supporting municipalities with the resources and training necessary to improve public safety outcomes. Through partnerships such as these, the Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety continues to invest in safer communities while creating meaningful opportunities for young people to enter the workforce.

Media Enquiries:
Kurt Nefdt
Acting MLO to Minister Anroux Marais
Cell: 084 285 1975
Email: Kurt.Nefdt@westerncape.gov.za