Bonteheuwel Neighbourhood Safety Team hits the streets for a safer Cape Flats

11 Jul 2019 in Where We Govern

The Bonteheuwel NST focuses on various enforcement interventions which includes stop and search operations, vehicle checkpoints and visible patrols. The  Law Enforcement officers work in shifts in Bonteheuwel and surrounds to curb anti-social behavior and assist in the enforcement of relevant by-laws.

‘Visible patrols and a presence in the community strengthen the City’s ability to assist the South African Police Service in executing its crime prevention mandate. Bonteheuwel has long yearned for improved policing and this initiative shows the City’s commitment to making the streets safer for law-abiding citizens. I encourage residents to work with our staff to help weed out the bad apples who have been terrorizing this community for far too long,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Over a period of five days (Friday 5 July – Tuesday 9 July), the NST staff had the following successes:

  • One arrest for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and the confiscation of a 9mm pistol, 15 rounds of ammunition and two magazines
  • One arrest for cable theft (weighing 43 kilograms)
  • Nine drug-related arrests
  • Drug confiscations included 15 bankies of dagga and 31 packets of tik
  • 638 suspects searched
  • Six Section 56 notices for by-law transgressions

In addition to the above, the NST visited a liquor store in Saffraan Street recently, where they gave a verbal warning to the owner for non-compliance with regards to an operating licence.

‘With their sustained presence in the community, one of the biggest advantages of the NST is that they can react swiftly to prevent possible crimes taking place. It is early days yet, but I am enthused by their successes thus far. I hope that the community is too, and that they will work with our staff to help prevent crime and anti-social behaviour and report illegal activities,’ added Alderman JP Smith.

High resolution photographs are available here: