In its crime-fighting efforts, the City of Cape Town (CoCT) distributed notices to residents asking for their help.

The call?

R10 000 for reporting crime that leads to an operational result.

Cape Town Continues its Crime-Fighting Efforts

During an early-morning roadblock on 14 August 2026, the City of Cape Town metro police handed out notices to residents asking for their help.

The notice asks residents to “say something” and “get rewarded.”

In it, the City suggests residents could “earn up to R10 000” if what they report “leads to an arrest, impoundment or confiscation.”

The incidents residents can report include:

  • Illegal firearms
  • Dumping and littering
  • Drug dealing
  • Stolen property
  • Metal and cable theft
  • Vandalism
  • Gangsterism

To report these crimes, residents can call the city any time, day or night.

They can contact the City on 0800 11 00 77. The line is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Residents can also use the Citizen Safety App to report crime. The app is available on Android and iOS.

The app is available for what the city describes as “non-life-threatening incidents.”

These include noise complaints, suspicious activity, by-law violations, and illegal dumping.

When filing a report, the app will automatically capture residents’ GPS to hasten response times.

Residents can participate anonymously

According to the notice, you can make a report anonymously, and your identity will be protected.

However, the city highlighted it will only pay a reward when “information leads to an operational result.”

These include arrests, recovering stolen goods, and confiscating contraband or illegal firearms.

Residents also have to be aware that not every tip will net them a big payday even if action is taken.

The notice stresses that it’s possible to “Earn up to R10 000.” However, it doesn’t stipulate the minimum reward a resident could earn from a tip.

Crime in Cape Town

This call to action comes as 21 of the city’s 62 precincts have recorded an increase in crime.

According to data from the South African Police Service (SAPS), the precincts where crime has risen sharply include Makhaza. There’s been an 18.9% increase in crime in the suburb.

Ravensmead follows with a 12.3% increase in crime.

Sea Point on the Atlantic Seaboard and Bishop Lavis on the Cape Flats tie for third place, with crime rising 11.1% in these suburbs year-on-year.

It’s not all bad news. The city’s efforts appear to be making some strides. Fewer crimes were reported in 28 of the 62 precincts.

Top 10 CoCT Suburbs Where Crime Increased

SuburbIncrease (%)Makhaza18.9%Ravensmead12.3%Sea Point11.1%Bishop Lavis11.1%Kensington10.9%Lwandle10%Bothasig9.9%Lingelethu-West9.7%Atlantis9.6%Table View9.2%

During these challenging economic times, this initiative may increase reporting and encourage active citizenship.