Portfolio Committee seeks bigger picture on staff attacks

12 March 2025

Attacks on Safety and Security staff have become more common and brazen in nature, and the Directorate is grappling with a number of examples, just in the past week.

In one of the latest incidents on Thursday, 6 March 2025, a Metro Police officer was shot in the leg when bystanders became riotous during a search of a property in Elsies River.

On Tuesday, 4 March, two Law Enforcement officers had to be freed by colleagues after they were prevented from leaving the station deck in the CBD.

Just hours later, three Traffic Officers sustained injuries – including one who was bitten on the arm – when bystanders became riotous during a routine traffic stop.

‘These are the incidents that we were informed about – odds are more staff were targeted during this period. Even our firefighters aren’t guaranteed their safety when responding to incidents. It is simply outrageous that people feel they can turn on first responders. Incidents are usually reported at departmental level - I have now requested a consolidated view to determine the extent of attacks on staff across the Directorate, and what can be done to address it. Our Directorate will also offer our assistance to the South African Police Service’s investigations into these attacks and we are committed to ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book,’ said the Chairperson of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.

The City has an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that staff members as well as their family members can access.

The Safety and Security Directorate also offers in-house counselling services to its staff, by professional trauma counsellors, and recently appointed a qualified Clinical Psychologist for its staff members.

‘We’re also confident that the acquisition of body worn cameras will not only be a deterrent  to other would-be attackers, but can also assist in identifying suspects for prosecution. The City is working hard to address the demands for public safety measures, as our investments in recent years have shown; but the gains are being erased by staff injuries requiring time off work to recover, and damage to vehicles. It’s truly unfortunate that the very communities who cry out for increased enforcement are often the very ones standing in the way of it.’ added Councillor Nqavashe. 

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office