BREEDE VALLEY – The Western Cape Government has welcomed the graduation of 15 new Peace Officers in the Breede Valley Municipality, pointing to continued “success” of the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) programme.

The officers were unveiled on Friday, 12 June, after completing an accredited 30-day Peace Officer and Traffic Warden training programme, equipping them to support crime prevention, municipal law enforcement and road safety across the Breede Valley.

Anroux Marais, Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, welcomed the officers saying the programme not only strengthens local law enforcement but also creates employment opportunities for young people.

Safety strategy

The initiative forms part of the provincial government’s Safety Strategy, aimed at strengthening law enforcement capacity across all 24 B-municipalities in the province. Participants received theoretical and practical training in criminal law, traffic management, law enforcement procedures, evidence handling, professional conduct and organisational ethics before earning two SAQA-accredited qualifications.

Marais said the programme is already delivering measurable benefits.

“This programme demonstrates how strategic investment in municipal law enforcement can deliver multiple benefits for our communities. Not only are we strengthening local law enforcement capacity and creating safer communities, but we are also equipping young people with accredited skills, valuable work experience, and real pathways to employment. The success of previous graduates in securing continued employment is proof that this initiative is making a tangible difference in people’s lives.”

Successful operations

The graduation coincided with the release of the latest LEAP operational figures.

According to the department, LEAP deployment areas recorded larger reductions in murder than the rest of the province during every reporting quarter of the 2025/26 financial year.

The department says during the five-week period from 27 April to 31 May this year, LEAP officers searched over 24 800 people and 1 180 houses, conducted 225 roadblocks, searched more than 2 500 vehicles, carried out over 2 500 hotspot patrols, participated in 601 joint operations with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and made 1 046 arrests.

Officers also confiscated 15 firearms, 99 rounds of ammunition, significant quantities of illegal drugs, hundreds of litres of illicit liquor and numerous stolen items.

Marais said the results support outgoing Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile’s recent remarks that capable municipal law enforcement agencies should receive expanded policing powers.

“The Police Commissioner’s comments reinforce a long-standing position of the Western Cape Government. The Western Cape Government has consistently argued that capable municipalities should be granted additional policing powers to better assist in the fight against crime. We have formally communicated this position to the Acting Minister of Police, Professor Cachalia, during recent engagements and continue to advocate for practical reforms that will strengthen law enforcement capacity across all spheres of government.”

Reduced pressure on SAPS

She said empowering municipal agencies to investigate less serious offences would relieve pressure on SAPS detectives.

“Allowing municipal agencies with the necessary capacity to investigate certain categories of offences would immediately ease pressure on SAPS detectives. Matters such as petty drug offences, drunken driving cases, common assaults and minor property-related crimes could be dealt with at municipal level, freeing SAPS members to focus on organised crime syndicates, gang violence, murders, extortion networks and other serious violent crimes.”

Marais also urged Cachalia to expedite legislative reforms.

“I urge the Acting National Minister of Police to move with urgency in facilitating the expansion of policing powers to municipalities that have demonstrated the capacity, professionalism and accountability required to exercise them responsibly. Communities cannot afford further delays.”

Stronger collaboration

She said stronger collaboration between national, provincial and local law enforcement agencies would improve public safety and strengthen confidence in the criminal justice system.

“When criminals are arrested, investigated efficiently and successfully prosecuted, public trust grows. Our residents deserve safer communities and a law enforcement system that is equipped to meet the challenges of modern policing.”