The latest crime statistics reveal a notable decrease in murder rates within certain areas of the Western Cape, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The findings indicate that the provincial government's targeted safety and crime prevention programmes are making a considerable impact in combating violence, particularly in regions where these initiatives are actively implemented.
Premier Alan Winde expressed his concern regarding the overall rise in murder rates but emphasised the success of cooperative policing efforts.
'While I am outraged and disturbed by the murder rates in the province and across the country, we can see that cooperative and locally-managed policing programmes are reducing murder rates and urgently need to be funded by national government for implementation in every single policing precinct,' Winde stated.
The statistics comparing Quarter 2 of 2024 to that of 2025 highlight a dramatic contrast within the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) areas, which include Delft, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Mitchell's Plain, Nyanga, and Philippi East. In these regions, the murder rate decreased by 9.4%, while across the wider province, there was an unsettling increase of 9.1%.
Even more striking was the performance of the three reaction unit areas - Elsies River, Manenberg, and Steenberg - which collectively saw reductions of 14.3%. Particularly in Manenberg, deaths fell by 20.8%, and Steenberg recorded a staggering drop of 56.3% in murder incidents.
Notably, the majority of murder cases in the Western Cape are reportedly gun-related. This troubling statistic has prompted the provincial government, in collaboration with the City of Cape Town, to advocate for enhanced investigative powers related to firearms.
Winde highlighted that LEAP's successes provide a strong basis for renewed urgency in addressing illegal guns on the streets: 'Our success with LEAP now adds urgency and credibility to this request - we can get illegal guns off our streets,'
The Western Cape Government welcomed the support of Acting Minister of Police, Cachalia, for the implemented initiatives. 'We have always been willing to work with national government to address this crisis. We must continue to build on the constructive relationship we have built with Minister Cachalia and his team,' Winde asserted.
He urged national leaders to act decisively: 'The evidence is compelling, the time is now,'
Policing Oversight and Community Safety Minister Anroux Marais also acknowledged the positive results from LEAP deployments. 'It is encouraging to see that our LEAP deployment areas continue to show positive results in reducing the murder rate. Yet, we cannot ignore the reality that violent crime, and murder remain unacceptably high,' she acknowledged.
Marais emphasised the critical need to address the issue of illegal firearms, calling for intensified efforts from the South African Police Service and all law enforcement agencies to remove such weapons from circulation and hold accountable those involved in their illegal trade.
She concluded by stressing the significance of a comprehensive approach to crime prevention: 'By strengthening violence-prevention initiatives and fostering holistic development, we aim to ensure that people receive the support they need to build meaningful, dignified lives,'
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