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IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Is the DA's call for policing power devolution just a cop-out?
The debate surrounding the devolution of policing powers reemerged over the weekend after Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron attended a ride-along in Manenberg. Image: Ian Cameron/Facebook/Supplied The DA's repeated call for the devolution of policing powers is facing sharp scrutiny with one political analyst labelling it a copout. The debate surrounding devolution reemerged over the weekend after Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron (DA), attended a ride-along in Manenberg. Cameron posted on social media about his ride-along which he undertook with fellow DA MPs Lisa Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell, and how they joined the Special Operations team of the City of Cape Town's metro police in Manenberg and surrounds on Friday. 'I am a firm believer that they should have more policing powers. Why wouldn't we allow this brilliant group of people to be able to do more? Just imagine if we could do something like ballistic testing and gang violence investigation, decentralised? The impact for communities that suffer under the scourge of violence would be significant,' Cameron said. '...It's so exciting to see the work that they do, along with law enforcement, and of course, the renowned LEAP programme. 'I want to zoom in on Metro (Police), this past week I brought a motion in Parliament to ask once again that the Minister of Police (Senzo Mchunu) please give more policing power to Metro Police. 'It is significant because (they) not only do incredible work on the ground, but if they have more policing power, they could actually put more people behind bars, and keep them there… 'Imagine if they could do more investigations, or if they could do some of the ballistic testing? The legislation already allows for this,' Cameron said. In another post, Cameron elaborated that municipal officers may currently arrest and confiscate weapons but cannot build court-ready case dockets. He said that function is reserved for SAPS, 'where backlogs, skill shortages, and delays continue to cause severe disruptions in justice being served, if at all.' 'The Police Minister has the power to change this immediately. Under the SAPS Act, he can devolve investigative functions to competent municipal authorities via regulation. He has the legal authority.' In response to Cameron's remarks Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said: 'The ministry's focus is on ensuring that the high levels of crime in the country are reduced. A number of enablers have been identified by the ministry, which will be used to fight crime. 'Furthermore, following the National Policing Summit which was convened in April, various measures will be implemented that will usher in a new type of policing - one that is effective, efficient, responsive and professional.' However, political analyst Sanusha Naidu explained that this issue has been an ongoing gripe for the DA regarding what they can and cannot do under the safety and security portfolios. Naidu said that the party is seeking to mimic what the National Party wanted to do during the negotiation for the transition into democracy, 'in other words, what they want is not a unity state, but rather a devolved set of powers that are defined along the lines of a federal state'. '...This discussion around a unity state versus a federal state is that you can't go back (to when the Constitution was being made) and ask the question, as you have a Constitution that defines powers,' Naidu said. 'You have a Constitution that essentially enables for a unity state. 'The Western Cape is a push-and-pull factor of tension. It is constantly in an elasticity of tension, as you have that one issue of 'look at us, we've done so well'... The DA has used the idea that it is the ruling party in the Western Cape to push a narrative that 'we have a better handle on how to govern', now the reason why they are able to push that is because…everywhere else is broken. 'So if you look at what the DA tried to do in Gauteng, and Eastern Cape when Athol Trollip was part of the DA… they are constantly trying to push the narrative that 'we govern better' but what they don't tell you is that the governing comes from such a low base in comparison to the rest of the country.' 'When you think about the optics and narrative when you live in the City of Cape Town, you can see the contradictions of that narrative… It is a complete copout to say that you can't address the issue because we don't have the powers to do so. It is easy. 'However, let's make the assumption that we give you the powers to do so, will you be able to do it, and I think that they are hiding behind this argument… There is no tried and tested argument because we don't have a benchmark for them to try it,' Naidu said. 'There is no benchmark to say, 'hang on, is there another method or methodology or another intervention you can make?' If you are still waiting for these powers to be devolved, you have to go back to the Constitution." [email protected]
IOL News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Stamping out political interference crucial to rebuilding trust in SAPS
(From left) President Cyril Ramaphosa, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi at the inaugural Police Summit held in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng on April 8, 2025. South Africa does not lack vision. It lacks the leadership required to transform vision into reality. To restore integrity and effectiveness, policing must be shielded from political agendas, says the writer. Dr. Reneva Fourie THE National Policing Summit, held from 8 to 10 April, under the theme 'Efficiency in Action: Optimising South Africa's Policing Potential' aimed to strengthen the South African Police Service's (SAPS) efforts to become modern, responsive and community-focused. The summit tackled important issues: the necessary balance between police visibility and investigating crime, the imperative of adapting the service to a rapidly changing policing landscape, and the critical role of technology in fostering a safer society. While such summits typically produce commendable outcomes on paper, focusing on the concrete actions that will follow thereafter is essential. The Joslin Smith trial serves as a stark reminder that murder, trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion have entrenched themselves in South Africa's criminal underworld. Syndicates involved in the illegal drug trade, the construction mafia, and even acts of sabotage against water infrastructure, among others, are thriving in an environment where policing efforts are seemingly hampered by bureaucratic inertia. These syndicates operate as sophisticated, well-connected networks that effectively circumvent security protocols and evade accountability due to weakened institutional oversight and a fragmented justice system. According to Interpol and UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), South Africa is a key hub for human trafficking in Africa, both as a destination and transit country. Children are exploited in domestic servitude, sex work, and forced labour, often with minimal intervention. The construction mafia – organised groups that resort to violence to claim a share of construction projects – has effectively paralysed billions of rands in infrastructure development. The ramifications include substantial project delays, escalating expenditures, and a detrimental effect on capital inflow into the real estate sector. According to a 2022 report from the South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors, at least 183 infrastructure and construction projects, collectively valued at over R63 billion, were disrupted by these criminal activities in 2019 alone. Equally alarming is the sabotage of water infrastructure, a relatively new but growing trend. In provinces like Gauteng and Limpopo, reports of deliberate contamination and equipment vandalism are increasing. This form of economic sabotage directly undermines essential services, compromising the health and dignity of millions. No one can deny that a plethora of ideas and good recommendations emerge from these summits. However, the gap between dialogue and action is stark. Reports indicate that while SAPS's articulated goals include increasing professionalism and skill within its workforce, these goals become difficult to achieve in the face of inadequate resources and dire working conditions. The discussion regarding harnessing technology for improved policing is undoubtedly a constructive element. Data analytics, surveillance, and community reporting applications offer promising pathways to more effective law enforcement. However, the commitment to digital transformation occurs when several precincts still lack basic tools such as reliable patrol vehicles, internet connectivity, and even essential stationery for their daily operations. A 2022 SAPS Organisational Climate Survey revealed that a significant number of police officers feel unsupported and demoralised. They argue that their conditions of service do not reflect the risks they face daily. When officers lack even basic tools it becomes evident that their ability to uphold the law with the required diligence and enthusiasm is severely compromised. Moreover, the general public sentiment complicates matters further. There are high levels of ambivalence, if not outright hostility, from some citizens towards law enforcement. The cultural milieu in which SAPS operates is fraught with challenges, including an inadequate patriotic sentiment among citizens. Reports have documented instances where community members defend criminals or purchase stolen goods, creating a toxic environment that undermines and delegitimises law enforcement. Public engagement in community safety has diminished, giving way to cynicism and mistrust. A 2024 Afrobarometer survey indicated that only about one-third (32%) of South Africans say they trust the police, while over 70% suspect the police are involved in some corrupt activities. Only about 24% of the population views the police force as always operating professionally, and a mere 10% believe that government efforts effectively tackle crime. This cultural dilemma is compounded by the perception that many leaders in South Africa are entangled in scandals, further eroding trust between the police and the communities they serve. Research conducted by the Institute for Security Studies indicated that the integrity and accountability of leadership significantly influence community trust in law enforcement.
