The national police department has entered into an agreement with the Western Cape provincial government and the Cape Town city council to combine resources to fight crime.
The announcement was made by deputy police minister Cassel Mathale in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday. He said the initiative was directed not only at the Western Cape but would be a nationwide programme for all key metros and cities in other provinces.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is due to be signed Friday.
Kamogelo Mogotsi, spokesperson for police minister Senzo Mchunu, said the purpose of the co-operation agreement was to record the co-operation between the parties in pursuit of safety and security in the City of Cape Town. It would be extended to the entire province and encompass various initiatives to promote a safe and secure environment.
“The parties will co-operate, among others, in the undertaking of research, development, procurement and commissioning of technological infrastructure, sharing of data, physical resources and skills and in establishing a programme to address sexual offences and related gender based violence and femicide,” she said.
Asked whether this was the first step in the process of the devolution of policing powers to the province — a long-standing demand of the Western Cape government — Mogotsi said that the department was governed by the constitution.
“We are co-operating as the three spheres of government to fight crime together, not transferring or delegating any power. All law enforcement agencies have their defined role to play but ultimately we have the same goal and will co-operate as we work together to fight crime.”
Western Cape premier Alan Winde said he “cautiously” welcomed the MOU.
“It is an encouraging step towards more collaborative policing based on evidence and data, which has been at the heart of the Western Cape government's approach as outlined in our safety plan.
“My sincere hope is that the MOU will translate into the SAPS in the Western Cape being adequately resourced to more effectively do its job in making communities safer. We must learn from the past and constantly revisit policing models based on the data and the evidence.
“The Western Cape government will still push for the devolution of policing powers because we believe that it is the local sphere where you can make a major difference,” Winde said.
The mandate of the Western Cape, like all provinces, is largely limited to providing education and healthcare but the province has previously indicated its wish to have powers delegated from national government in the areas of policing, public transport including municipal public transport; energy, including electricity generation, transmission and reticulation; trade, including international trade; and harbours, including national harbours.
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