The City of Cape Town is set to submit its comments on newly proposed draft regulations for the devolution of policing powers to provinces, arguing that the changes do not go far enough to address the city’s rampant crime rates.
This comes after Police Minister Senzo Mchunu published draft regulations aimed at expanding municipal policing powers. The Western Cape government has long advocated for devolution, insisting that localized control would allow for a more targeted approach to crime trends.
Crime Crisis in Cape Town
According to the latest SAPS crime statistics, four of South Africa’s top five crime hotspots are in Cape Town, with gang violence and drug-related crimes plaguing areas like the Cape Flats—often dubbed a “death threat” due to relentless bloodshed.
The provincial government has raised concerns over inadequate policing resources, slow response times, and weak investigative capacity under the current national policing structure. The DA-led Western Cape administration believes devolving policing powers would enable a more effective and responsive strategy.
Local Efforts Amid National Delays
While pushing for legislative changes, the City of Cape Town has not waited idly. Despite policing being a national mandate, the city has established specialized units, including a gangs unit and a drugs unit, to combat crime directly.
In February 2020, the city also introduced Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers, trained in specialized crime prevention tactics, to bolster security in high-risk areas.
Demand for Investigative Powers
The city argues that merely expanding municipal policing is insufficient—it wants full investigative authority to improve conviction rates. Currently, only about 5% of nearly 2,000 illegal firearms cases handled by metro police in the past four years have led to convictions.
“We’ve already trained our officers in statement writing and docket building so we’re ready the moment these powers are devolved,” a city official stated. “With investigative authority, we could secure far more convictions and make a real difference.”
Next Steps
The city is preparing its formal submissions on the draft regulations, with a 60-day deadline for public comments. Officials remain hopeful that their proposals will lead to stronger local policing capabilities—and, ultimately, safer streets for Cape Town’s residents.
