LEAP officers confiscate 27 firearms during November

19 December 2023

The Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers once again made their presence felt when they executed various operations across the areas where they are deployed. Between 30 October and 3 December 2023, the officers confiscated 27 firearms and arrested 1 253 individuals for various crimes. LEAP, which stems from the Western Cape Safety Plan(WCSP) is an initiative of the Western Cape Government(WCG) in partnership with the City of Cape Town(CoCT).

The 27 firearms confiscated were:

§  x4 Pistols and x1 revolver in Bishop Lavis;

§  x1 Firearm and x1 zip gun in Delft;

§  x1 Firearm and x2 pistols in Harare;

§  x1 Revolver and x1 firearms in Manenberg;

§  x1 Pistol in Mitchells Plain;

§  x1 Pistol and x1 zip gun in Mfuleni;

§  x2 Revolvers in Philippi;

§  x3 Pistols in Philippi East;

§  x5 Zip guns and x1 revolver in Samora Machel and

§  x1 Pistol in Steenberg.

Amongst others, the arrests included:

22 for the possession of illegal firearms,

12 for the possession of imitation firearms,

74 for the possession of dangerous weapons,

840 for the possession of drugs and

24 for dealing in drugs.

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, said: “LEAP’s efforts are continuing to bear fruit in the areas where they are deployed. The continued confiscations and arrests are helping to ensure that perpetrators are placed behind bars and unable to torment our communities. Despite working under immense strain, it is commendable that our LEAP officers work tirelessly to make our communities safer. We initiated LEAP to combat the high murder rates in the hotspot areas, and I want to assure our residents that we will remain resolute in our efforts. Our aim as the WCG is to halve the murder rate by 2029, and this will not change.”

LEAP is strategically deployed, and its operations are based on evidence and data so that they support communities most effected. This approach is also used as part of monitoring and evaluation to determine the effectiveness of LEAP and inform a cycle of continuous improvement. This includes our top 10 murder areas in the Western Cape, such as Delft, Gugulethu, Harare, Khayelitsha (Site B policing precinct), Kraaifontein, Mfuleni, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Philippi East, and Samora Machel. Other high crime areas in which they are deployed are Atlantis, Bishop Lavis and Hanover Park, along with Lavender Hill, Steenberg and Grassy Park.

LEAP officers work with a multitude of law enforcement agencies which is inclusive of other CoCT Law Enforcement agencies, the South African Police Service(SAPS), neighbourhood watches(NHWs), Community Policing Forums(CPFs) and various other stakeholders.

“As we celebrate the festive season, I urge all our safety stakeholders, residents and businesses to not let their guard down and continue working with our LEAP officers. During this time of the year, we see an increase in criminal activities and through greater collaboration, we can work together to fight back, to create safer communities,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.

Issued by Marcellino Martin, Spokesperson for Minister Reagen Allen, 19 December 2023