Premier Alan Winde takes further steps in policing dispute
9 June 2019
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has initiated the next step in the intergovernmental dispute process on police resourcing, after national Police Minister Bheki Cele failed to respond to the declaration notice sent to him more than a month ago.
The provincial cabinet declared the intergovernmental dispute with Minister Cele due to the national government’s failure to address crime in the province and unwillingness to engage on critical policing resource shortages in communities.
“I wrote to Minister Cele in October and again in December detailing the urgent policing needs of the province and finally, after no response to those letters, instituted an intergovernmental dispute in April. Minister Cele has once again failed to respond. This extended period of silence now allows us to unilaterally decide on a date for a mediation meeting to take place,” Premier Winde said.
“We have identified the 4th of July as a date suitable for the meeting. In that meeting, we will determine the precise nature of the dispute, identify mechanisms other than the courts to resolve the dispute and then agree on a mechanism and its implementation,” Premier Winde said.