During the 2020/21 financial year, the Department of Community Safety obtained its 13th consecutive clean audit. Alongside this outstanding achievement, there was a substantial increase of R417 million to capacitate the recruitment, training and deployment of LEAP officers. The continued work of the department demonstrates how the Western Cape Government implements proactive measures to make our communities safer.
Between April 2020 and March 2021, the Western Cape found itself in the midst of the pandemic. As such, it required the Department to be dynamic and to amend its priorities in order to contribute to Covid-19 efforts. Despite the immense challenges that were posed to service delivery and the fiscal framework, the imperatives of the Recovery Plan and Safety Plan were still adhered to.
Taking into account the obstacles the Department has had to overcome, the Annual Report highlights the hard work that is being carried out:
- Training of the final group of LEAP officers is approaching its conclusion, which will mean that there will be 1 000 officers supporting SAPS and the Metro’s Law Enforcement. This will help bolster the efforts to improve visible policing in the province.
- 16 Area-Based Teams (ABTs) have been established in the Metro and District Municipalities, which will aim to reduce murders by using available data to create tailored interventions in each area.
- Through the Department’s Youth Safety Ambassador Programme, 1 000 safety ambassadors have been appointed to the Expanded Public Works Programme opportunities. These individuals will work in community entities, such as local governments and schools.
- The Chrysalis Academy has expanded its intake to include an additional 120 youth members, which will go a long way in affording young people opportunities and helping them avoid a life of crime.
- R7.7 million was spent on supporting the Neighbourhood Watches (NHWs) structures in the Province. In addition, 133 NHWs were accredited in the year under review.
- R6.93 million transferred to the City of Cape Town, Swartland and Overstrand Municipalities in order to capacitate, strengthen and support their respective K9 units.
Keeping our communities safe remains a top priority for the provincial government through the Western Cape Safety Plan.