Law Enforcement scores with school netball tournament

17 March 2026

The event, organised by a group of School Resource Officers saw 10 teams go toe to toe in a mini tournament at the Bellville Sports Ground this past weekend.

The Law Enforcement School Resource Officer (SRO) Unit is at the forefront of Safety and Security’s social crime prevention efforts.

The unit started as an intervention to address anti-social behaviour at high-risk schools.

And, while officers deal with many serious issues, many have also implemented very successful cultural and sporting programmes to positively engage learners in their areas of deployment.

In one of the most recent examples, a group of SROs banded together to organise their second netball tournament, assisted by Metro Police, Disaster Risk Management, Western Province Netball and Councillor Mercia Kleinsmith.

The event attracted 145 players from 10 high schools: Arcadia; Beauvallon; Bonteheuwel; Bulumko; Crystal High; Elswood; Heathfield; Intshukumo; Joe Slovo and Phoenix High.

To make the day even more memorable, the event was held in Bellville, in an effort to broaden the learners’ horizons.

The first tournament was held in Bishop Lavis in August 2025.

‘Much of the work in enforcement revolves around removing dangerous criminals from our streets. Very often, critics speak of the need for more … a whole of society approach. This netball tournament embodies a whole of society mindset, and is but one example of the many programmes run or supported by the Safety and Security Directorate and other City departments, where the sole aim is diverting communities, and young people in particular, from risk. I commend the officers who organised this magnificent event and look forward to the next one,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office