The City of Cape Town says expanded Metro Police powers would help strengthen criminal cases, while Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis argues SAPS needs support in combating gang, gun and drug crimes.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has formally declared an intergovernmental dispute with Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia as the City pushes for Metro Police officers to be given more crime investigation powers.
Hill-Lewis announced the move at the City’s Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) base in Bishop Lavis on Monday, alongside Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith. The dispute was lodged under the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act and follows years of what the officials said was unsuccessful attempts by the City to engage national government and successive police ministers.
The process will now require the City and the acting minister to enter mediation in an attempt to resolve the matter without going to court.
The City wants Metro Police officers to be allowed to investigate certain crimes, particularly cases involving illegal firearms, gangs and drugs. At present, Metro Police officers can arrest suspects and confiscate illegal firearms, but they generally have to hand the cases over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation.
