WC govt reiterates call to takeover policing

CAPE TOWN - MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Arnoux Marais on Thursday again called for the devolution of policing powers in the Western Cape.

Marais made the call during a sitting of the provincial legislature while MPLs were debating the ongoing shootings and gang violence in the province.

Statistics presented in the legislature showed more than 30 people were murdered in the Western Cape in the last month.

"The national government's failure to adequately resource SAPS [South African Police Service] hamper the ability to fight violent and organised crime effectively," said Marais.

Marais said the devolution of policing powers is crucial for the future policing in the Western Cape.

"Until the province has the authority, resources and powers to make decisions on policing, we will remain limited in what we can achieve," said Marais.