DA calls for devolution of policing powers: ‘Local police understand community crime patterns’

Keely Goodall

Keely Goodall

15 September 2025 | 9:20

`They could respond faster, prioritize hotspots, deploy resources where they need it most, and coordinate directly with the communities,' Lisa Schickerling, DA Spokesperson on Police.

DA calls for devolution of policing powers: ‘Local police understand community crime patterns’

The Western Cape has faced increasing deadly taxi violence and unrest.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding urgent devolution of policing powers to municipalities in the Western Cape to help them get the situation under control.

Schickerling argues that the local authorities understand the crime patterns in their communities better and could act more effectively if they were given full policing powers.

“They could respond faster, prioritize hotspots, deploy resources where they need it most, and coordinate directly with the communities.”
- Lisa Schickerling, DA Spokesperson on Police (IN: 02:01)

She says the Western Cape Government has had very productive conversations with Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, who has made it clear the door must remain open for conversations.

RELATED: Would devolution of policing help reduce crime in Western Cape?

Schickerling adds that SAPS is currently under resourced and under enormous strain, and devolving police powers would remove some of the pressure and lead to more cases being solved.

“It really is just a very small change in the law.”
- Lisa Schickerling, DA Spokesperson on Police (IN: 03:29)

Scroll up to the audio player for more.

Trending News