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. Policing is central to this motion.

At the latest PC meeting on Wednesday, councillors resolved to table the resolution at the next full sitting of Council.

The resolution will call 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.

READ: City calls for more investigative powers to help prosecute criminals

The Chairperson of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, Mzwakhe Nqavashe, says the City has invested in specialised units such as the Metro Police Gang and Drug Task Team, have put more boots on the ground with the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) and invested in technology such as CCTV, gunfire detection, and drones. This investment in policing infrastructure is vital.

“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.”

READ: WC Police refute City’s claims of low conviction rates for illegal firearms

The Councillor says they 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, with policing as a key component.

He says the situation is untenable as residents continue to live in fear, children cannot venture outside, and criminals run the streets.

While Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has previously written to the National Police Commissioner to request a devolution of policing powers, Nqavashe says the City has not had any meaningful reply.

To this end, the Portfolio Committee is therefore calling for devolved policing powers via the Intergovernmental Dispute Framework.

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

If the request to the National Government is not successful, the City Manager has the mandate to approach the courts to take the matter further.