From left, Safety and Security mayco member JP Smith, UDM councillor Bongani Maqungwana, Cape Town Safety and Security Portfolio Committe chairperson Mzwakhe Mqavashe, and DA councillor Yusuf Mohamed during the media briefing calling for the devolution of policing in the Western Cape.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Portfolio Committee has adopted a motion calling for the devolution of targeted policing powers from the national government.
The motion further mandates that if negotiations through the Intergovernmental Relations Framework (IRF) fail to yield results, the City Manager should initiate legal adjudication to secure these powers through the courts.
The document presented to the committee states: “If the formal process through the Intergovernmental Relations Framework fails to achieve outcomes, that the City Manager proceeds to begin an adjudication process through the courts to devolve policing powers, thereby empowering the City of Cape Town with investigating powers to assist the SAPS adequately in addressing the scourge of gun violence.”
The motion was presented by DA councillor Yusuf Mohamed and seconded by United Democratic Movement (UDM) councillor Bongani Maqungwana.
It calls for a formal request to the national government to devolve specific policing functions to the City, including investigative powers for gang-related crimes, drug trafficking, extortion, and firearm offences, as well as crime intelligence and forensic testing of firearms.
“We’re not calling for full policing powers, but for targeted, urgent powers that enable the City to fill the gap left by SAPS,” said Mohamed.
Mzwakhe Nqavashe, chairperson of the committee, said communities were struggling under the weight of violent crime and lawlessness.
“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. The situation is untenable as our residents continue to live in fear, children cannot venture outside, and criminals run our streets.”
Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
The motion also recommends that national government formalise the work of the technical task team created under the 2024 Safety and Security Cooperation Agreement, which was signed at Erica Park in Belhar by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister Senzo Mchunu, and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
JP Smith, mayco member for Safety and Security, said progress on the workstreams had been slow.
He also noted the growing impact of extortion on City operations.
“The contractors are saying, ‘we’re not safe'.”
Smith said over 400 officers were now escorting service teams.
“We are now at the point where every service team may need a police escort. That doubles our operational cost. It’s unsustainable.”
He said the City assisted in certain kidnapping cases but was still limited in its scope.
“I cannot go to a public meeting without someone raising this. And I’m tired of telling people saying ‘it’s not within our powers'.”
The EFF opposed the motion, with councillor Banzi Dambuza saying: "The DA has failed to deal with gangsterism, extortion, and any other issue related to crime. As the EFF we are anti the move of SAPS going to the City, who are entering the position of taking under the wing, making sure they use the power which will be abused; misused and not used to the benefit of our poorest of the poorest.”
GOOD Party councillor and Caucus Whip Jonathan Cupido also expressed concerns about the proposal.
“As GOOD, we do not oppose decentralisation. There is a compelling argument for bringing decision-making closer to communities, especially where services are failing. But to suggest that devolving select policing functions will resolve Cape Town’s crisis of violent crime, without simultaneously addressing the root causes of that violence, is dangerously misleading,” he said.
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