City hosts annual Mass Information Session for Neighbourhood Watches

06 September 2026

The Safety and Security Directorate hosted its annual Neighbourhood Watch(NW) Mass Information Session on Saturday, 5 September 2026, at the Banqueting Hall, Civic Centre, bringing together the NW community for a morning of engagement, learning, and dialogue.

This year's session drew the directorate's strongest turnout yet, with 101 Neighbourhood Watches represented and 250 attendees — a clear sign of the growing partnership between the City and the volunteers who help keep communities safe.

The session opened with a keynote address from Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, setting the tone for a morning focused on collaboration between the City and its NW structures. This was followed by a legislative discussion, unpacking and giving attendees clarity on what it means for NWs in practice.

Councillor Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, gave attendees an update on the City's Street People Programme.

Caption: (left to right): Alderman JP Smith, Ignatius France (Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading, City of Cape Town), Anroux Marais (Western Cape Provincial Minister of Community Safety), Alderman Mzwakhe Nqavashe (Chairperson Safety and Security Portfolio Committee) and Councillor Francine Higham (Mayoral Committee Member for Community Service and Health).

The programme also made provision for information on the Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading programme, covering awareness and available resources.

The session was closed with the NW Tip-Off Information Pack, covering how to report safely and confidentially, what information supports enforcement and the role Neighbourhood Watches play in sharing information and directing residents to official City channels.

‘These information sessions are important as Neighbourhood Watches are often the first point of contact between communities and the City's enforcement agencies. Keeping volunteers informed on the legislation that governs their work, and how to respond in a disaster is important to improve rapid response time.

‘I’m glad to see so many participants and the willingness to assist our officers. We will continue to support our Neighbourhood Watches, and I would like to invite communities to get involved and support the local Neighbourhood Watch,’ said Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.

Members of the public and Neighbourhood Watch structures with follow-up questions or detailed queries are encouraged to email the Mass Information Session team directly at NW.MassInfoSession@capetown.gov.za.

The team will review all submissions and respond in due course.