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Resolution on the Devolution of Policing Powers Moving Along

The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Portfolio Committee (PC) has endorsed a motion for the devolution of policing powers to the municipality. At the latest PC meeting today, councillors resolved to table the resolution at the next full sitting of Council.

The City is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and this Directorate is doing everything in its power to address crime and gang violence.

The City has established specialised units such as the Metro Police Gang and Drug Task Team, put more boots on the ground with the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) and invested in technology such as CCTV, gunfire detection, drones and more.

‘Our communities are plagued by crime at all levels and it is clear that more is needed – from the South African Police Service and the City. Recently, we highlighted that the City has removed nearly 2 000 illegal firearms from the streets, yet the conviction rate is not keeping pace. SAPS does not have the manpower and the City’s uniformed staff do not have the power to undertake investigations into firearm confiscations, and other crimes.

‘The situation is untenable as our residents continue to live in fear, children cannot venture outside and criminals run our street. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis wrote to the National Police Commissioner to request a devolution of policing powers to Metro Police and the City has not had any meaningful reply, We believe this devolution will enhance the ability and capability of the City to assist SAPS in combating crime and improving public safety for communities plagued by gang violence,’ the Chairperson of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.

The Portfolio Committee will table a resolution at the next Council meeting calling on the national government to:

  • Devolve investigative powers to the City for crime categories such as gang-related violence, firearm offences, extortion and drug trafficking.
  • Devolve the power of crime intelligence to the City.
  • Assign the function of forensic laboratory testing centres for firearms to the City.
  • Support the City’s continued participation in the Cooperation Agreement task team and endorse the establishment of a joint technical workstream comprising representatives from various stakeholders.

‘The City has long invested in technology, skills, and capacity to address growing crime challenges. With under-resourced SAPS, we’re ready to support investigations and intelligence to improve gang-related convictions. We therefore call for devolved policing powers via the Intergovernmental Dispute Framework,’ said Councillor Yusuf Mohamed, who presented the statement at the PC meeting.

It was seconded by Councillor Bongani Maqungwana of the United Democratic Movement.

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  1. Fun South African Fact: Vilakazi Street in Soweto has been home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners. A tour through Soweto will always stop at Vilakazi Street to reveal a number of heritage sites of great importance to democratic South Africa. Both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived here at some point in their lives. In 1984, Archbishop Desmond Tutu received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition for his non-violent fight against the apartheid regime. Nine years later in 1993, Nelson Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize with then-president F.W. de Klerk as an award for their role in bringing about the peaceful end of apartheid. Nelson Mandela then went on to become South Africa’s first democratically elected president in 1994.

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