City of Cape Town endorses motion to take over some policing powers
The city's portfolio committee on Safety and Security has endorsed a motion for the devolution of policing powers to the municipality.
Western Cape police launched their festive season operation in the province on 17 October 2024. Picture: Ntuthuzelo Nene/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town has taken its call for devolution of some policing powers up a notch.
The city's portfolio committee on Safety and Security has endorsed a motion for the devolution of policing powers to the municipality.
This resolution will now be tabled before the city council at its next full sitting.
The city is calling on the national Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, to give it investigative, crime intelligence gathering, and ballistic testing powers.
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Calls for more policing powers for the City of Cape Town's Metro police and law enforcement are not new.
However, calls for the devolution of policing powers to the municipality have been shot down by the Police Ministry in the past.
However, the city's portfolio committee on Safety and Security chairperson, Mzwakhe Nqavashe, believes things will be different this time around.
"For now, it's just delaying tactics, and there are no reasons put before us to say we will not give you this power because of ABC, hence we are continuing pursuing it going forward."
He adds that the aim is to help the South African Police Service (SAPS) in its fight against crime and nothing else.