The Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety Department says it will analyse the possible contributing factors that led to the increase in the murder rate in the province, during the second quarter of the year.
The province recorded 1,163 murder cases between July and September 2023.
This is an increase of 10.9% compared to the same period in the previous year.
Most notably, the rise was seen in seven of the ten suburbs where LEAP officers are deployed.
They include Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Mfuleni, and Mitchells Plain, among others.
Decreases in homicides were recorded in the following three areas in which LEAP officers are deployed:
– Kraaifontein (11.1%)
– Nyanga (11.3%)
– Philippi East (14.8%)
Increases in homicides were recorded in the following areas in which LEAP officers are deployed:
– Bishop Lavis (192.9%)
– Delft (15.9%)
– Gugulethu (55.9%)
– Harare (20.8%)
– Khayelitsha (2.1%)
– Mfuleni (56.5%)
– Mitchells Plain (35.5%)
– Philippi (56.3%) and
– Samora Machel (26.5%)
Delft is the country’s murder capital – after it recorded the most murder cases over these three months.
MEC Reagen Allen has defended the role of LEAP officers in these areas despite their inefficiency as shown by the stats.
But Allen has put the blame squarely on the police.
“Since LEAP deployment is based on data and evidence positive strides have been made to combat crime. There is an immediate need for SAPS to review and urgently adapt its deployment and operational methods, as it is clear as daylight that the current model is ineffective”.
