Cape Town: Opposition parties in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature have slammed the tabling of the Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill by the DA, saying it seeks to create an independent country within the country.
But Christopher Fry, the DA’s Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Premier and Constitutional Matters, said the bill merely seeks to devolve certain powers in areas such as policing, public transport, energy, and harbours.
"The bill doesn't seek to make the Western Cape an independent state; we just want a devolution of certain powers, as we believe that some will function better if they are under the control of the provincial government than the national government. The DA remains committed to the devolution of national powers to capable provinces in order to bring quality service delivery and good governance to communities," said Fry.
EFF Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL), Aishah Cassiem, said the main question that should be asked was, will the success of this bill translate into benefit for the people of the Western Cape?
"Will it eradicate poverty, and will it reduce the wealth gap? The DA wants to operate as an independent country or as a federal state with the aim of making their own laws, and this attempt is their first step in seeking independence. But I believe that this will never materialise," said Cassiem.
She said in the Western Cape, there had been a 14% reduction in crime, and as we knew, policing was a national competency.
"Police oversight and community safety must exercise oversight over SAPS in the province, so none of them can claim that it is one or the other who is reducing crime. We do, however, acknowledge the weakness of the national government in issues of policing, public transport, energy, and management of our harbours, among others. We don’t feel that giving this responsibility to the Western Cape government will translate into benefits for poor and working-class communities," said Cassiem.
MPL Cameron Dugmore, the ANC leader of the opposition, said the bill will never pass constitutional muster.
"The DA and the Honourable Fry must remember that there is something called the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, and that constitution will have to be amended first before it can devolve powers to provinces. But again, this shows the DA's expediency when it comes to the rule of law. They don't respect the rule of law. But what are the powers they do have? They have the power to run basic education in the province, yet we have unsafe schools and unsafe school transport. Unplaced learners every single year. Our matric results are now worse than those of three other provinces," said Cameron.
Weekend Argus