A new agreement between the DA-led Western Cape government, the City of Cape Town, and the national police has been forged to bolster security in Cape Town. However, this accord stops short of devolving police powers—a measure the Democratic Alliance has persistently championed.

The agreement emerges against a backdrop of escalating gang violence on the Cape Flats, which has tragically claimed the lives of over a dozen individuals, including children. Despite these grim circumstances, the deal does not grant the Western Cape the policing autonomy it has long sought, but rather focuses on enhancing existing support for police services within the metro.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, in announcing the agreement, downplayed the necessity of devolution, stating, "Devolving policing powers is not the only way to address crime in South Africa." He emphasized the practical constraints, particularly budgetary limitations, that preclude increasing the number of police officers on the ground. Instead, the City of Cape Town's 600-strong municipal police force will collaborate with national police units in an effort to project a more robust security presence.

Yet, for many in the Western Cape, this agreement falls short of what is needed. The DA has consistently argued that the Constitution provides a basis for the devolution of policing powers to provincial governments, a move they believe is essential for effectively addressing the unique challenges faced by regions like the Western Cape. The provincial government contends that greater local control over policing would enable a more tailored and responsive approach to crime prevention and law enforcement.

JP Smith, Cape Town's mayoral committee member for safety and security, expressed frustration that the agreement does not address the core issue of devolution. "We need more investigative and crime intelligence powers," he noted, highlighting the severe shortage of detectives and the overwhelming caseloads they face. "This agreement does not address the devolution of powers. It says that we will start talking about legislative amendments, which is encouraging."

Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais echoed these concerns, lamenting the confrontational nature of past interactions between different levels of government on crime-fighting in the province. She stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that without a meaningful shift in power dynamics, "our people will continue to suffer at the hands of criminals."

For advocates of devolution, this agreement is merely a stopgap. Given the fanfare around devolution which was provided as an alternative to secession, this may stoke resentment from the Cape's voters, who are traditionally distrustful of central government.

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