6 August 2025
Yesterday, Executive Mayor Jeremy Fasser and Mayoral Committee Member for Protection Services, Councillor Stephanie Heneke, hosted a high-level safety and security engagement at the Stellenbosch Municipality. The meeting brought together key law enforcement stakeholders, including the newly appointed Cape Winelands District SAPS Commissioner, General Mocholochi; Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Minister Anroux Marais; SAPS leadership from the region; Municipal Protection Services and the Municipal Manager as well as representatives from local private security and community safety organisations.
The Mayor warmly welcomed General Mocholochi to our region and expressed our willingness to work closely and constructively with her and her team. We are confident that this new leadership will bring renewed energy to policing efforts in our district and look forward to a constructive partnership.
However, the purpose of the engagement extended beyond introductions. On behalf of the communities we serve, the Mayor made it clear that we are tired of meetings and talk — our residents are tired of living in fear. Crime is not unique to Stellenbosch, but recent increases in petty crime and the rise in gang-related violence in areas like Cloetesville demand urgent and decisive action from the South African Police Service.
While policing remains a national mandate, Stellenbosch Municipality has consistently gone above and beyond to support SAPS. This includes regular joint operations, intelligence sharing, patrol assistance, access to our extensive CCTV network and 24-hour control room and weekly coordination meetings. But we cannot do it alone. It is time for SAPS to increase its visible presence, especially in hotspot areas and take stronger steps to protect our communities.
We are grateful to Minister Marais for her continued support and for her department’s role in facilitating this engagement and further action. We trust that the message from our communities was heard loud and clear: the time for discussions has passed — we now need action, accountability and visible policing.
To General Mocholochi — welcome to the Cape Winelands. We wish you great success in your new role and reaffirm our commitment to working alongside you to ensure safer communities for all.
