The City of Cape Town has introduced a new specialised SWAT team and Metro Police Aviation unit to tackle gang crime, extortion, and high-risk arrests. Equipped with drones, aircraft, thermal cameras, and artificial-intelligence tracking technology, these units aim to support high-risk crime operations across the city. Launched on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the units were unveiled by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Safety and Security MMC JP Smith.
The SWAT team is equipped with advanced technology, including an armoured vehicle, modern firearms, night vision, and heat detection technology. The team members have extensive experience from the SAPS Special Task Force and will also support the City's Training College to develop a curriculum for future growth. This move is part of the City's broader safety investments, which include over 1 300 new City police officers, a new Highway Patrol unit, and a state-of-the-art digital nerve centre.
The Metro Police Aviation Unit will use aircraft and drones to patrol crime hotspots, track suspects, and assist with search-and-rescue operations. The unit's technology includes thermal and zoom cameras, AI-assisted tracking, and laser rangefinders. According to Smith, the aerial unit has already contributed to arrests and operations in several areas, including Delft, Somerset West, Strand, Tafelsig, and Elsies River.
The launch of these units comes after criticism from political opponents, who accused the DA-led administration of investing in "military-style" policing. However, Mayor Hill-Lewis defended the City's growing policing capacity, stating that officers are ready for greater powers to tackle gang, gun, and drug crime. He emphasized that the City will "stop at nothing" to make Cape Town safer.
The specialised units will feed live information into the City's new Joint Policing Services Operational Centre (JPSOC), a digital "nerve centre" that integrates various safety technologies, including drones, body cameras, vehicle cameras, ANPR technology, CCTV, and AI. This centre aims to create a real-time operational picture to improve situational awareness and inform decision-making.
The City is also deploying almost 3 000 body cameras and has equipped 530 enforcement vehicles with in-vehicle cameras and ANPR technology. According to Smith, these safety tech solutions help create a comprehensive operational picture, enabling more effective policing. The units' launch marks a significant step in the City's efforts to enhance its policing capabilities.
The introduction of these specialised units is part of the City's efforts to address gang violence, extortion, and high-risk crime. With the support of advanced technology and equipment, the City aims to make Cape Town a safer place for its residents. The units' effectiveness will be closely watched as the City continues to invest in its policing capacity.
Key points
- The City of Cape Town has launched a SWAT team and Metro Police Aviation unit with advanced technology to combat gang crime and extortion.
- The units are part of the City's broader safety investments, including over 1 300 new City police officers and a state-of-the-art digital nerve centre.
- The launch comes after criticism from political opponents, who accused the DA-led administration of investing in "military-style" policing.
