A recent progress meeting for the Overberg Violence Prevention Unit (VPU) showed just how highly local stakeholders value the work the VPU has been doing.
The meeting was attended by Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde, Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wegner, Overstrand Executive Mayor Alderman Archie Klaas and his Mayoral Committee.
The meeting highlighted the strong collaboration between sectors such as Health, Social Development and Law Enforcement, particularly in Hermanus, where the VPU has successfully broken down silos and promoted more effective teamwork.
Xenophone Wentzel from the Department of Health’s VPU explained that the unit brings together multiple levels of government and organisations, using a public health approach based on the Cardiff Model of Violence Prevention. This model pulls together hospital and police data to get a clearer picture of where violence is happening, so interventions can be more targeted and effective.
“The Model helps communities better understand where violence is taking place, allowing us to focus resources in those areas and prevent incidents before they happen,” Wentzel said.
Hermanus Police Station Commander, Colonel Gustav Tamboer, supported the VPU, stating, “If it worked in Grabouw, it can work in Hermanus. The VPU is making a real difference, and I will introduce it to all my stations. With the compassion and commitment of the people sitting here, I believe we can bring down crime in our area. However, the 44% increase in drunk driving is a concern, and we must act quickly to stop this trend.”
He also shared crime statistics from April 2025 to February 2026, compared to the previous financial year, which revealed notable trends. These included a 47% decrease in the possession of illegal firearms, a 25% drop in murders and robberies, a 45% reduction in attempted murder, and a 9% decline in dangerous weapons. However, drug-related crime, drunk driving, and the sale of liquor without a license all saw increases of 15%, 44%, and 23% respectively, while assault rose by 1%.
Cllr Andrew Komani, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Municipal Public Safety and Chairperson of the Overstrand Community Safety Forum, highlighted the importance of working together: “We’re prioritising the safety of our residents and the VPU has really stepped up. Our partnership is key to making this work.”
Mayor Klaas agreed, saying, “This isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. We need to make decisions based on data and focus on where crime is the worst. It’s amazing what can be done when everyone pulls together and shares information.”
One of the highlights of the day was the introduction of the VPU Ambassadors to Mayor Klaas and the Premier. These ambassadors have received ongoing training, mentoring, and support from SAPS and the Department of Social Development.
The Premier praised the work of the VPU, saying, ‘What you have going here is amazing. I’m always impressed by the residents who volunteer to patrol their neighbourhoods, putting their own safety at risk for the community.
He added, “The unit, launched in August 2023, is a response to violence from all levels of government and society.
Explaining why the Violence Prevention Unit was established within the Department of Health, he said it is because the department bears the brunt of crime – the wounded, stabbed, shot, and battered all end up in our hospitals. Therefore, the Department of Health has a vested interest in crime prevention.
“Safety and jobs go hand in hand – we can’t have one without the other. While fighting crime is crucial, we also need to tackle its root causes, like poverty and unemployment, which can be as dangerous as gangs or drugs.
“If crime decreases, it leaves a gap that must be filled. We need to fill that gap with jobs (employment opportunities) so that people do not revert to other forms of crime.”
“To build a strong economy, we need to invest in our youth. Too many are falling through the cracks, and we must help them realise their potential. Programmes like Chrysalis Academy and YearBeyond are already doing this, so make sure Overstrand is represented and apply for these programmes.”
