Law Enforcement Escort Unit clocks 10 700 requests in 12 months

11 July 2026

A year ago, the City availed an additional R100 million for enforcement escorts amid increased attacks on staff and service providers. Even with the additional resources, demand has exceeded supply.

In 2024/25, the City's Law Enforcement Department facilitated an average of 275 escorts per month to various service departments.

In 2025/26, the monthly average was 890.

Key clients are Water & Sanitation; Energy; Urban Mobility; Urban Waste Management; Human Settlements and Community Services and Health.

Service requests are prioritised based on the particular risk rating of an area.

Currently, 16 policing precincts are prioritised – risks include violent crime threats like gang violence, hijacking and robbery, and extortion.

‘The increased need for escort duties to line departments is but another indicator of the complete disregard that criminals have for their communities and those who are trying to deliver services. The cost is immense, but the cost of not having the escort unit in place to protect staff would be even greater. Last November, we also established an anti-hijacking unit (AHU), specifically to cover Khayelitsha, Strand and surrounds in an effort to curb hijacking incidents of City-owned vehicles, ' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith’.

The City is tracking attacks on staff, vehicle hijackings and extortion attempts daily through its Safety and Security Information Management Services.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office