Minister Marais commends major successes by LEAP members

Today, 3 October 2024, Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux, Marais, accompanied Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) members in Mfuleni on their patrols.

Minister Marais commended LEAP members deployed in Cape Town for a remarkably successful week in which a murder suspect – among others - was apprehended, and large quantities of copper wire as well as drugs were confiscated.

LEAP is a vital part of the Western Cape Safety Plan. The Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety funds more than a thousand LEAP officers, managed by the City of Cape Town, to support the work of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in some of the city’s crime hotspots.

In the week from 16 to 22 September, LEAP members arrested 154 people, including one murder suspect. More than a hundred of these arrests were for drug possession while two suspects were taken into custody for allegedly dealing in drugs. Six undocumented foreigners,  three motorists who were allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, and fifteen people for whom there were outstanding warrants of arrest were also arrested.

Several firearms, knives and imitation guns, as well as four rounds of ammunition, were seized. Narcotics, including mandrax, tik, unga, heroin and ecstasy were also taken off the streets. Importantly, R150 000 worth of copper wire and a piece of railway track were also recovered.

An example of one of the LEAP members’ successes was an arrest in Viscount Street, in the Hague in Delft. While patrolling, members noticed a man acting very suspiciously. LEAP members then stopped and searched him. They found in his possession a silver Armes Unique Hendaye firearm, 7.65 calibre. He was promptly placed under arrest and the weapon confiscated.

“I am very impressed with the dedication of our LEAP members. They make a great difference in the toughest Cape Town neighbourhoods. They play a strong preventative role, which is deeply appreciated by the Western Cape Government,” Minister Marais said.