COPS ROLL OUT FESTIVE SEASON CRIME PLAN

New safety initiative brings fresh resources

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

POLICE showcase new technology and resources as part of the Western Cape's festive season safety plan.

(AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Newspapers)

AS THE police launched the festive season safety plan, top management revealed that the Western Cape remains one of the country's most violent provinces.

It is home to 138 gangs, with over 4000 firearms linked to deceased owners potentially being used to commit crime and ongoing taxi violence.

Yesterday, a day after a triple murder rocked Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, the officers put on display, demonstrating their operational readiness. They also showed off their new gadgets, a drone and a helicopter, and 88 vehicles for hotspot areas.

Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili said the Western Cape is one of four provinces being monitored daily by national management due to its persistently high levels of violent crime.

"Daily, we get reports of violent crime in the Western Cape. But it is not the only province facing this challenge; there are four provinces we are monitoring daily because of the nature of the violence," she said.