SAPS Officers Deployed to Cape Town Crime Hotspots

South African Police Minister General Bheki Cele has welcomed the deployment of 200 police officers to violent hotspots across Cape Town.

Cele said the Western Cape province continues to experience stubbornly high levels of violent crime, necessitating the reinforcements.

“The Western Cape’s high murder rate is simply unacceptable. In the past week and during the long weekend, 100 people were killed either by stabbing or were shot dead in this province,” said Cele.

“It is important that we put shoulder to the wheel to make sure that the people of this province, especially those living in and around the city of Cape Town, know what peace looks like.”

The brigade – which includes members of visible policing, crime intelligence, forensics and detective services – will focus their skill sets on crime hotspots such as Khayelitsha, Delft, Kraaifontein, Nyanga, Harare and Philippi East.

These areas are in the top 30 police stations with the most contact crimes such as murder, attempted murder, aggravated robbery and sexual offences.

Cele told the police members that they remain the most valuable resource in fighting crime. “Your presence in this province must yield results. We cannot afford anything less. The people of this province are sick and tired of crime, and they are relying on you to consistently and effectively flush out criminals.

“At all costs, you must also protect the women and children and the most vulnerable, and remember that drug and alcohol abuse remain the major cause of violence in many of the communities that you are serving,” Cele said. – SAnews.gov.za