Medics’ vehicle stolen in Table View, chased into Muizenberg

Cape Police officers Saturday night found an ambulance that had been stolen from an accident scene.

The Response Unit of the newly organized Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (Leap) was based at Prince George with crime prevention duties Drive was busy in Steenberg when, around 10:30 p.m., they received a radio call to 911 that the vehicle in Table View had been stolen.

Leap officers said they identified a vehicle matching his description and said Sunday high speed was driving.

The officers gave chase, caught up with the vehicle and blocked it in Muizenberg.

“The occupant was arrested for possession of stolen property, he was driving under the influence, reckless and careless driving and resisting arrest. The suspect was then transported and turned over to Milnerton SAPS for further investigation and prosecution.”

The Leap unit was launched in May and deployed to Steenberg and Ottery after gang-bred violence and shootings increased in Lavender had Hill and Grassy Park.

At launch, Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde stated, “The Response Unit acts as a force multiplier, assisting the SAPS Command Center in responding to flares and gunfire in areas affected are not designated as Leap hotspots and where there is no fixed Leap deployment. Instead, they will be deployed on a temporary basis to help restore and stabilize the communities that host them.”

A holistic approach is needed to transform national policing, Sunday’s statement said to bring about, through a complete overhaul of the national police service.

The approach includes:

• More ground contact means more eyes and ears on the front line, ready for action.
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  • Members must be provided with adequate resources and equipment to perform their duties.
  • Enhanced training for unskilled members.
  • An enhanced, expert Investigations Department trained to ensure case files are promptly compiled and defendants found guilty and convicted.
  • Improved community structures to ensure the right information and news flow is provided for d he crime prevention and prosecution are available.

  “ For this reason, it is imperative that the national government delegates the structure through SAPS to instead be a competence of the provincial government. so that we can bring our SAPS up to the required standards. Until then, the city will continue to provide as much support as possible to our local SAPS,” it said.

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