Western Cape Government deploys 400 new SAPS officers for festive season safety
Newly trained South African Police Service (SAPS) officers line up during a festive season deployment parade at 35 Squadron in Belhar, Cape Town, where more than 400 additional officers were officially deployed to boost visible policing and crime prevention across the Western Cape.
Image: Supplied
The Western Cape Government has welcomed the deployment of more than 400 newly trained South African Police Service (SAPS) officers to bolster festive season operations across the province. A move expected to significantly strengthen visible policing and crime-fighting capacity during one of the busiest periods of the year.
Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais said the additional officers on the ground reflect a positive response to the province’s sustained calls for increased policing resources, as the Western Cape continues to shoulder a disproportionate burden of serious and violent crime.
“This increased deployment is an important step in strengthening our collective ability to protect communities during the festive season, when crime patterns often intensify and public spaces become busier,” Marais said.
Premier Alan Winde echoed the sentiment, welcoming the additional personnel while stressing that more resources are still required.
“I welcome the announcement of 400 new SAPS officers who will join the festive season operations. This is a good start, but we need to see a lot more boots on the ground. We hope that this is the start of a new wave of SAPS recruitment that dramatically increases deployments across the province,” Winde said.
The announcement followed a parade at 35 Squadron in Belhar, which highlighted strong inter-agency cooperation. Newly trained SAPS officers were joined by the City of Cape Town’s Metro Police, the City’s Specialised Services Investigation Unit (SSIU), Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers, and Immigration Officers from the Department of Home Affairs.
Marais said this level of collaboration is critical in addressing the persistent surge in violent crime in the province.
“No single agency can tackle violent crime alone. It is only through coordinated operations, shared intelligence and visible joint deployments that we can disrupt criminal networks and restore safety to our neighbourhoods,” she said.
She also urged residents to work with law enforcement by reporting criminal activity and supporting officers on the ground, emphasising that community safety remains a shared responsibility.
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