Stellenbosch Municipality welcomes new Peace Officers to boost community safety

Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, said the 19 newly graduated Peace Officers will help improve community safety in Cloetesville, Kayamandi, and Stellenbosch.

She joined the Stellenbosch Municipality on Tuesday, December 9, to celebrate the graduation of the officers.

“This achievement is an example of what is possible when provincial government collaborates with municipalities to strengthen safety at a local level. These new Peace Officers are not only enhancing law enforcement visibility, but they are also building trust, improving safety, and helping create a community where residents and university students can thrive."

They graduated from the provincial government's Law Enforcement Support (LES) Programme, along with six existing employees from the Stellenbosch Municipality.

Together, these officers will play an important role in maintaining law and order and supporting police in addressing gang violence and gun-related crimes, said Ms Marais.

Through gazetted funding, the Western Cape government contracted the City of Cape Town’s accredited Public Safety Training College to deliver the Safety and Security Sector Education & Training Authority (SASETTA) accredited training modules.

Stuart Grobbelaar, the spokesperson for the Stellenbosch Municipality, said the new officers will join the municipal ranks as "fully-fledged Peace Officers."

"Their presence will strengthen our law enforcement capabilities and add more eyes and ears on the ground as we continue supporting SAPS in the fight against crime. SAPS remains the lead authority, and we are proud to back them through new and innovative approaches with the resources that we have."