Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais have launched the “Lawyers in Police Stations Project” in partnership with the South African Police Service and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC).
The initiative aims to strengthen the technical capacity of police officers, improve investigative processes and ultimately increase successful prosecution outcomes.
“This initiative recognises a fundamental reality: effective policing begins at police-station level. Far too many police stations across the Western Cape and the country are facing serious resourcing constraints which often impact service delivery. While we continue to call for more equitable resources for law enforcement in the Western Cape to bolster our fight against crime, we have also sought out other innovative solutions and partnerships aimed at improving various aspects of policing,” explained Premier Winde.
“We must do everything we can to help the SAPS and the criminal justice system.”
Major General Michael Jojo, who represented the Western Cape SAPS Commissioner, said: “This initiative is a fruitful engagement to assist police and benefit the community.”
The project provides SAPS members with legal mentorship and training, guidance on statement-taking, as well as legal advice and community support.
It was first piloted at Grassy Park SAPS in March 2025, after the precinct was identified as an area carrying a high burden of serious and organised crime.
An independent evaluation found that the programme had resulted in improved investigative processes. It has since been expanded to the Mitchells Plain Precinct, with plans for further expansion in the Western Cape, including the Stellenbosch Policing Precinct, covering Stellenbosch Central, Kayamandi and Cloetesville, as well as other locations nationally.
Under the project, a lawyer is placed at a police station on a full-time basis for three years to provide ongoing mentoring and capacity-building support to station personnel.
The initiative is not intended to take over or interfere with police functions, but rather to strengthen the technical skills and capacity of police officers.
MEC Marais said, “The aim of placing trained legal professionals in community service stations is not only to improve the quality of case dockets presented to court but also to strengthen the trust relationship between the police and the community which is too often strained by frustrations related to unsuccessful prosecutions.”
Premier Winde said the work of police officers must ultimately lead to successful prosecutions.
“While law enforcement agencies must work hard to prevent crime and increase arrests, this must be followed by successful prosecutions. Through this project we are tangibly offering assistance to officers to build up watertight cases.”
GI-TOC Executive Director Mark Shaw said the organisation had supported more than 300 projects globally, including in communities affected by organised crime and violence.
“Our experience shows that resilience depends on strengthening the rule of law, effective local policing and trust between communities and the police. Working with SAPS and provincial partners, this initiative aims to strengthen all three by improving service delivery and access to legal expertise. One lawyer cannot solve these challenges alone, but Mitchells Plain is an important opportunity to test and refine a practical model that, if successful, can grow and be replicated elsewhere. Working with SAPS and provincial partners, this initiative is an important opportunity to strengthen policing and service delivery, while testing and refining a practical model that can grow over time.”
The project focuses on improving the quality of police statements and evidence management, which the partners say can contribute to stronger case dockets and improved prosecution outcomes.
Abie Isaacs, Chairperson of the Mitchells Plain Safety and Development Forum, welcomed the expansion.
“Expanding the ‘Lawyers in Police Stations’ initiative to Mitchells Plain is a crucial step for our community. Technical flaws in statement-taking dismantle case dockets before they even reach a courtroom, robbing victims of justice and shattering public trust. Having legal mentors working side-by-side with our local officers gives them the real-world guidance needed to build watertight cases. Stronger dockets lead to successful prosecutions—and that is how we restore real safety and accountability for our residents and local businesses.”
The Western Cape Government, SAPS and GI-TOC say investing in the capacity of police stations is an investment in safer communities, more effective policing and a criminal justice system better equipped to deliver justice for victims of violent and organised crime.
