Cape Town’s long-running push for expanded policing powers has received backing from Western Cape SAPS Commissioner Thembisile Patekile.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed the support, saying it strengthens the City’s argument that metro police should be given more authority to help tackle crime.

According to the City, Patekile supported the idea of expanding the powers of metro police during an interview. He said some functions could be shifted to metro officers to allow SAPS members to focus on specialised investigations.

Hill-Lewis said this is exactly what the City has been calling for.

He said more powers for metro police could make a real difference to safety in Cape Town and across South Africa.

City says conviction rates remain a major concern

The mayor said crime investigation powers are especially important in cases involving gangs, guns and drugs.

He said City officers remove more than 400 illegal firearms from the streets every year. However, he claimed the conviction rate in these cases sits at just 5%.

Hill-Lewis blamed this on what he described as a broken criminal justice system.

He added that the biggest obstacle remains political will at national government level.

The City hopes Patekile’s support will be heard by senior national leaders.

Metro officers ‘ready’ for bigger role

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith also welcomed the SAPS commissioner’s remarks.

Smith described the comments as a major endorsement from one of the country’s senior police officials.

He said the City’s officers have already shown they can support SAPS. He added that local policing powers are often placed closer to communities in international models, while national agencies handle cases that cross provincial borders.

Smith said the City’s Public Safety Training College already trains officers in skills such as statement writing and evidence handling.

According to Smith, Cape Town now has more than 6 000 public safety members who are ready to take on a bigger role.

He said the City wants to move beyond simply making arrests.

“Catch and release needs to stop. We can be partners. We are ready,” Smith said.

The debate now turns to whether national government will move on the City’s request.