Murder declines in Cape Town as extortion remains a threat

BOOTS ON GROUND: SANDF have been deployed to help SAPS and local agencies fight crime

City of Cape Town says extortion and extreme violence remain a serious concern in parts of Cape Town despite an overall decline in serious crime.

Cape Town has recorded a fourth consecutive quarterly decline in serious crime, with murder also decreasing across all six policing areas where the City’s Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers operate alongside SAPS.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the figures offered “cautious optimism” but warned that extreme violence and extortion remained major challenges in parts of the metro.

Smith said the reduction in murder could partly be linked to increased resources directed towards crime hotspots by the City and Western Cape government since late 2024.