Western Cape authorities have deployed an additional LEAP Reaction Unit to the area of Manenberg on the Cape Flats.
The Unit will further capacitate and bolster the operations led by the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) and Metro Police, which is aimed at curbing gang violence in the area.
According to the Western Cape Department of Community Safety Manenberg is not considered to be one of the top 10 Crime Hotspots in the province, however, there has been a concerning increase in crime between 2011/12 and 2020/21.
“Murder and attempted murder in the area has worsened by 220% and 261% respectively. There is no doubt that the lack of proper management of the police from national is to blame for worsening crime trends and this is why the LEAP officers were sent to the community,” the Department said.
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The Democratic Alliances (DA) spokesperson on Community Safety in Western Cape, Reagen Allen, further mentioned that this is an important deployment, especially in light of the five murders and shootings which Manenberg has faced over the past week.
“Our Safety Plan is working and we have seen the countless successes in our communities, with the LEAP programme showcasing how the Western Cape goes above and beyond the mandate of a provincial government.
“The DA-led Western Cape Government and City of Cape Town are a testament that capable, subnational administrations have the ability to keep our residents safe,” Allen said.
Meanwhile, the Department also plays a strategic role in how the 24-hour/7-day shift system is implemented. This specifically relates to officers are deployed in our province to identify how capable and how the government helps communities on the Cape Flats.
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Picture: Twitter/ Alan Winde