Innovation, partnerships and collaboration at the heart of safer communities
8 September 2025
Stellenbosch Municipality is proud to announce the official launch of the very first “Rent-a-Cop” initiative in partnership with the Stellenbosch Improvement and Transformation Initiative (SITI) Special Rating Area (SRA) – a progressive step towards safer, more secure communities.
While the South African Police Service (SAPS) is the lead agency tasked with crime prevention and law enforcement, Stellenbosch Municipality has long recognised the importance of supportive partnerships, innovation and community-driven solutions to create safer living, working and recreational spaces.
Adopted by Council in 2020, the Externally Funded Officer Policy (Rent-a-Cop) is a unique and forward-thinking approach that allows external organisations, businesses and communities to fund the deployment of dedicated Law Enforcement or Traffic Officers for their specific areas. This not only strengthens visible policing and enforcement in those zones but also frees up valuable law enforcement resources to be deployed where they are most needed.
Today’s milestone was launched in front of the Stellenbosch Town Hall by Executive Mayor Jeremy Fasser, Cllr Stephanie Heneke (Mayoral Committee Member for Community Development and Protection Services), Director Gary Boshoff (Community and Protection Services), Mr Charl Kitching (Senior Manager: Protection Services) and Mr Marinus Louw representing the SITI.
The launch saw the deployment of six dedicated Law Enforcement Officers, fully funded by the SITI SRA, who will patrol within its boundaries. These officers will work hand-in-hand with six contracted security officers from the SRA, forming a robust joint patrol team. Together, they will conduct by-law enforcement, crime prevention patrols and provide a 24-hour presence, ensuring that residents, businesses, students and visitors alike feel safer within the SRA.
Importantly, these municipal officers remain under the command and control of the Municipality’s Law Enforcement Department, ensuring professionalism, accountability and integration with broader municipal safety strategies. Over time, their dedicated presence will foster strong relationships with local business owners and community members, making safety efforts more responsive to the specific needs of the SRA.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to public safety through innovation and collaboration. The SITI SRA’s investment in Rent-a-Cop demonstrates how communities and municipalities can work together to find real solutions. This is only the start. The Rent-a-Cop model will be rolled out to other areas, streets and spaces where it is needed most. This makes it easier for the Municipality to logistically allocate law enforcement resources and, importantly, increases visible patrols across all areas of Stellenbosch,” said Executive Mayor Jeremy Fasser.
The Municipality invites all interested parties to explore how they can partner with us. You do not need to be an SRA – the Rent-a-Cop model can be tailored to fit neighbourhoods, business areas, streets and residential areas. Together we can grow this initiative to make our communities safer.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Charl Kitching
Senior Manager: Protection Services
📧 Charl.Kitching@stellenbosch.gov.za
