City of Cape Town launched joint safety operations between the City and South African Police Service which will be the order of the day this festive season as part of the first major public safety initiative since the signing of a cooperation agreement between the SAPS, City and Western Cape Government in August.
Reportedly, the joint safety parade was held in the CBD on Friday, Dec 13, 2024. The event included a parade of officers with their service animals, a convoy of vehicles and an exhibition on the Grand Parade of City and SAPS vehicles and equipment.
More than 870 of the City of Cape Town Project 1,000 cadets participated in the parade with the event marking their formal appointment as Learner law Enforcement officers.
The cadets are contributing to the City of Cape Town’s largest ever safety deployment over a festive season by joining the more than 4,000 permanent uniformed enforcement and emergency personnel.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis of Cape Town said that they are energised by the cooperation on display, between the SAPS, City and CCID to make Cape Town safer over the festive season.
According to him it is the future of integrated policing in action and follows the signing of cooperation agreement between the City of Cape Town and SAPS. He added that they also celebrated the 876 cadets who have completed their Law Enforcement and Traffic Training in time to bolster the ranks of the festive season safety deployment record of the City.
Lewis mentioned that these officers will be deployed across the Cape Town at the most popular beaches, mountain and hiking routes. Also considering the tourist hotspots, CBDs, roadblocks by the Random Breath-taking Unit and more.
Notably, next year in 2025, these officers will complete the metro police part of the learnership and paving way for their future endeavours.
Furthermore, the integrated safety operations with SAPS and other safety and security structures will focus on economic zones, with some of the cadets bulking up the visible enforcement presence in the Wynberg, Bellville and Mitchells Plain CBDs.
The other priority areas will include public reaction areas and continued collaboration in high crime precincts.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith said that they have also set up numerous joint operations centres in various parts of the metropole to coordinate the efforts of the various agencies involved. It ensured the best possible outcomes for the public.
The City of Cape Town also lean into its technological investments as a force multiplier, other than the resources that are found on the ground.
Smith explained that the Smart policing is the way of the future and equally smart is sharing resources across the agencies to achieve results.
Also, the Lt. General – Thembisile Patekile said that they have entered this festive season period stronger than before with the integrated deployments in force that executed the much-needed, intelligence-led operations.
Patekile thanked the cooperation agreement that enabled into each other’s expertise and resources as they take the fight against crime to the doorstep of the criminal element.
SAPS detectives are also on hand to investigate the reported cases and ensured that the suspects are brought before the courts. He said, “I remain confident that our presence through various joint operational activities is already felt in some precincts as we strive to create safer communities.”