The Hawks, South Africa’s elite crimefighting force, are dedicated to investigating and battling highpriority crimes such as corruption, fraud, and money laundering. Their colossal task involves managing thousands of cases with numerous charges worth trillions of rands. Despite the challenges they face, the Hawks have made significant strides in crime fighting, securing convictions and court orders associated with assets linked to criminal activities. Their unyielding pursuit of justice offers hope for a safer and more secure South Africa.
Cape Town’s Mayor Geordin HillLewis is pushing for the devolution of criminal investigation powers for local municipal police officers to combat gangrelated, firearms, narcotics, and blackmail crimes. HillLewis has already initiated a conversation with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has expressed optimism about the potential legislative amendment. The mayor is also calling for intervention against the construction mafia and blackmailer gangs in Cape Town, with Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson planning to meet with him to discuss the problem. HillLewis’s efforts signify an unyielding offensive against crime in the city.
The EyeintheSky is a new aircraft equipped with toptier surveillance technology, capable of achieving higher flight altitude, extended airtime, and lower weather susceptibility compared to drones. The aircraft boasts infrared cameras, which can detect heat signatures from recently discharged firearms, persons submerged in frigid waters, or the swiftly rotating tires of a fleeing vehicle. The EyeintheSky marks a significant paradigm shift in Cape Town’s fight against crime, highlighting the city’s dedication to harnessing the power of stateoftheart technology to ensure community safety.
South Africa’s National Counterfeit unit, in partnership with various entities, has confiscated counterfeit items worth over R300 million in five months. The fight against counterfeit products is a covert war that involves untangling a complex web of transport vehicles, production machinery, and illegal items. The unit’s relentless pursuit of justice and integrity is safeguarding brand reputation, consumer rights, and enforcing the law. Every victory is a step forward in this ongoing struggle against counterfeit products.
Cape Town’s enforcement services had an intense weekend in February 2024, with numerous confiscations, detentions, and fines. They uncovered stolen backup batteries, apprehended individuals for illegally possessing property, and captured a murder suspect. In addition, they issued 53,614 fines and executed 2,426 arrest warrants. This weekend serves as a testament to their unwavering determination and commitment to maintaining public safety.
A successful anticrime operation in Potchefstroom, South Africa resulted in the capture of six suspects involved in a series of robberies. The operation involved different units working together, and uncovered three unregistered firearms, ammunition, and stolen property. Community involvement played a significant role, illustrating the power of collaboration in countering crime and the ongoing battle against criminal activities in South Africa.
In the ongoing war against crime, the impressive alliance of Mossel Bay, Overstrand, and Swartland K9 units, together with Rural Safety Units (RSUs) in the Overstrand and Swartland areas, have achieved remarkable progress. Collaborating with municipal law enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service (SAPS), these teams arrested 76 individuals from 5 September to 19 September. The arrests encompassed the Overstrand municipal area (43), the Mossel Bay region (17), and the Swartland region (16).
The Cape Town Metro Police Department has had a successful year, with a yearonyear increase in key statistical areas such as arrests, drug confiscations, and traffic and bylaw transgressions. In the 2022/23 financial year, the department achieved 5,662 arrests, confiscated nearly 35,000 units of drugs, 74 firearms, and over a thousand rounds of ammunition.
The Western Cape province of South Africa has achieved a remarkable feat in crimefighting by reducing the murder rate by 14.1%. The recently released crime statistics for January to March 2023 reveal that there were 872 murders in the 2022/23 financial year in comparison to 1,015 in the previous year. The decrease outperforms the 904 murders recorded in 2020/21.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Western Cape has received a significant boost in law enforcement capabilities, with the delivery of 362 vehicles during the 2022/23 fiscal year. Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, is credited with this development, owing to his effective and enhanced oversight efforts.