Media invitation: Cape Forum to protest at parliament tomorrow regarding the devolution of police powers

The civil rights organisation Cape Forum is holding a protest action tomorrow (Tuesday 11 August 2026) at parliament in Cape Town to call for the devolution of police powers in the Western Cape.

“We can no longer stand by and watch as communities are reduced to bystanders, spectators, and victims in a war-like situation where 30 people are gunned down over a weekend and up to 170 within two weeks,” says Heindrich Wyngaard, Executive Chairperson of Cape Forum. “Communities must assert themselves in this power struggle between an inept police service, opportunistic politicians, and cunning crime bosses.”

The protest aims to place pressure on the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, which is deliberating tomorrow on the proposed Electoral Commission Amendment Bill. This bill makes provision for provincial referendums.

Cape Forum approached the Constitutional Court in 2024, demanding that the Electoral Commission Amendment Bill be enacted urgently and in accordance with the Constitution. This amendment would ensure that the support of provincial residents – by means of referendums – can be gauged regarding issues that affect them.

The court ruled that parliament must be allowed a “reasonable time” to conclude the process, failing which the organisation could return to court.

Wyngaard says the organisation believes that Western Cape residents should have a say in the debate regarding the devolution of police powers.

“Unfortunately, while political parties are at loggerheads about this issue, communities are still suffering under unscrupulous criminals, murderers, rapists and gangsters,” he says. “That is why Cape Forum has been pushing for legislation to be enacted that would allow premiers to call provincial referendums – and the first matter on which the view of residents should be tested, we believe, is the matter of the devolution of policing powers.”

The media is invited to attend Cape Forum’s protest action.

The details are as follows:

Date: Tuesday 11 August 2026

Time: 10:00 to 11:00

Enquiries: Contact Elizma Arendse (066 473 4431) for more information.