Melikhaya Zagagana7 February 2024 | 12:25

CoCT calls on Ramaphosa to address devolution of passenger rail services

The metro has made several appeals in the past for powers in policing, rail, energy and the ports to be handed over to capable metros.

CoCT calls on Ramaphosa to address devolution of passenger rail services

FILE: Prasa trains in 2019. Picture: Eyewitness News.

CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to give clear deadlines for the devolution of Passenger Rail of South Africa's services to the metro.

The call comes ahead of the president's State of the Nation Address on Thursday.

The metro has made several appeals in the past for powers in policing, rail, energy and the ports to be handed over to capable metros.

The city said the president must take decisive action regarding the city's devolution proposal.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis: "The urgent devolution of more policing powers to us here in the city to the municipality enforcement level so that we can really help saps fight crime properly."

Hill-Lewis added that the president must also address the crisis of corrupt officials within the ranks of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

"I call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to announce decisive measures to deal with a number of illegal firearms that are fuelling gang, gun, and drug crime in Cape Town and around the country. This includes dealing with corrupt elements in the SAPS that are conspiring with gangs and selling drugs."