Crime fighting received a huge boost with the launch of the Overstrand Rural Safety Unit (ORSU) last week.
Boasting 20 officers it will be based in the Overstrand municipal district, but will be operational throughout the Overberg to strengthen crime fighting capabilities.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde stated the unit will serve as “a critical force multiplier, providing safety and peace of mind to communities across the Overberg region.
“To make a meaningful impact on reducing crime, particularly violent offences, we need to establish and deploy more resources to every corner of our province, from cities and towns to rural areas.”
Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagen Allen said the unit should serve as proof to the communities of the Overberg of the provincial government’s dedication to ensuring greater safety throughout the province. He stated that although 75% of the murders in the province were recorded in Cape Town there had been a definite increase in violent crimes and murders outside the city.
Therefore, he explained, units such as the ORSU are so important, as they ensure more boots on the ground to fight crime in rural areas.
Overstrand Mayor Dr Annelie Rabie reiterated this, saying more criminals seem to be fleeing to rural areas as a result of increased and improved action taken to address gangsterism and crime in the metropole.
“I am especially concerned about people living in remote areas where they are more vulnerable to attacks.”
She also requested that the Department of Health make more ambulances available to serve victims of violence in remote areas like Baardskeerdersbos and Eluxolweni.
Allen pointed out that the process to get ORSU up and running had commenced in 2021.
“Since then, the Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety has invested just over R9 million in this unit,” he said. “For the 2023-’24 financial year, a further R9,5 million has been set aside for both the Swartland and Overstrand Rural Safety Units.” V Continue on page 3.
