Residents of Nyanga and Philippi commend police for crime-fighting success

Residents of Nyanga and Philippi have applauded local law enforcement agencies for their ongoing efforts to tackle crime in their communities, especially with the festive season approaching.

Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers, in collaboration with the Nyanga police, conducted a successful joint operation on Friday, November 7. 

The large-scale operation focused on Brown’s Farm and Nyanga, two areas that have long struggled with high levels of violent and opportunistic crime. During the patrols, officers targeted several addresses identified through prior investigations.

The operation resulted in two arrests for the illegal sale of liquor, and law enforcement officers confiscated four cases of beer, a litre of wine, two six-packs of beer, and fifteen individual bottles found during their searches.

In addition to house raids, two vehicle checkpoints were set up along Govan Mbeki Road and Sheffield Road in Philippi East. Officers inspected vehicles and drivers for compliance, issuing fines totalling R27 000 for various traffic and by-law offences.

Many residents have expressed their appreciation for the increased police visibility. Nolundi Mathibidi, from Marikana, stated that the presence of law enforcement provided residents with a sense of safety that had long been missing.

“Crime is completely out of hand in Marikana. We need police or metro police patrolling here all the time. It’s not even safe to go to the shop because people are robbed and killed daily. I’m really happy with the work they did on Friday,” she said.

Another resident, Nokuthula Mbikanye, praised the professionalism of the officers during the patrol.

“I think they handled the operation very well. They weren’t rough with people and showed respect. We welcome these patrols because our areas have become dangerous, and people live in fear,” she said.

From Philippi, Vukile Mbana stressed the importance of sustained police visibility in curbing crime.

“The moment the police are not around, everything falls apart. Philippi has become a no-go area. We can’t even use Uber or order deliveries because drivers refuse to come here due to crime. It’s heartbreaking,” he said.

According to JP Smith, the City's mayoral committee member for safety and security, the LEAP teams deployed in Nyanga and Philippi have been tirelessly working to clamp down on illegal activities. Between July and October 2025 alone, the teams conducted more than 200 inspections and follow-up visits to illegal liquor outlets, leading to several arrests.

“Alcohol continues to fuel many violent crimes, including murders and assaults, in these communities,” said Mr Smith.

“While deploying more than 270 officers in these areas brings some relief, we need a more comprehensive approach. I have long called for the devolution of policing powers to capable municipalities like the City of Cape Town because we have proven that we can do more.”

Mr Smith also referenced the recent murder of LEAP officer Yonke Pakade, whose death shocked both law enforcement and the community. The 26-year-old officer was off duty when he was hijacked and brutally attacked in the Marikana informal settlement last month.

“Officer Pakade’s murder is a tragic reminder of the dangers our officers face daily. Despite these risks, they continue to serve with courage and dedication,” Mr Smith said.

Police have confirmed that one suspect has been arrested in connection with the case, and investigations are ongoing.