The Democratic Alliance this afternoon supported a motion in the National Assembly on crime in Cape Town. The DA successfully amended the original motion, in the name of the EFF, for the Portfolio Committee on Police to embark on a parliamentary enquiry into the causes of these violent crimes and the impact these have on society.
Policing is a national function under an ANC minister. The enquiry will give the DA governments in the City of Cape Town and the DA led Western Cape Provincial Government the opportunity to place on record before the public the efforts and strides that we have made to curb crime in Cape Town.
These include:
- The Western Cape and City of Cape Town have intensified safety investments, allocating R360 million to LEAP in 2024/2025 and an additional R21.251 million for rural K9 and Rural Reaction teams.
- Over the MTEF, more than R4.76 billion is budgeted for safety, including R1.05 billion to maintain over 1,200 LEAP officers, alongside investment in advanced training like a new firearm simulator.
- More than 2,000 officers have been trained and deployed, including 700 new Metro Police officers in July 2025 and additional highway patrol officers in October 2025.
- All new officers receive evidence-based policing and tactical training supported by the City’s in-house firearm competency programme.
- Key initiatives include data-driven LEAP deployment in gang hotspots, evidence-based hotspot policing with SAPS, and expanded highway and gang patrols.
- The City is strengthening specialised units such as SWAT and gang/drug task teams and has formally called for the devolution of policing powers.
However, we cannot fight this fight alone.
The parliamentary enquiry is sure to expose the serious lack of national police resources and deep rooted corruption within SAPS under the ANC over the past 30 years.
The DA will also make the argument for more powers for well functioning provinces and metros in assisting SAPS with fighting crime in the interest of communities.