Minister Marais: IMPS-WC a valuable partner in the Western Cape Government’s push for stronger Municipal Law Enforcement capability in the Western Cape

Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, has reiterated her support for the work of the Institute for Municipal Public Safety- Western Cape (IMPS-WC), which hosted a conference in Arniston from 15 to 17 September 2026.

The Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety contributed several presentations during the conference on the province`s interventions aimed at improving public safety.

These interventions include the Department’s support to municipalities through its Law Enforcement Support Programme, which have already assisted 24 municipalities to strengthen their law enforcement capacity since 2022. The Department has also partnered with municipalities to establish and support specialised municipal K9 units in the Overberg, Swartland, Mossel Bay and, most recently, Stellenbosch.

The Institute serves as an important municipal public safety think tank and professional platform, promoting cooperation, innovation and the exchange of ideas to strengthen municipal law enforcement capabilities. An important objective of the forum is to advance a more uniform, professional and standardised approach to municipal law enforcement across municipalities in the Western Cape.

Minister Marais said, “IMPS-WC play an important role in bringing together the many partners involved in creating safer communities. By sharing experiences, identifying successful interventions and promoting best practice, we can strengthen municipal law enforcement and improve safety outcomes across the province.”

The conference programme also included presentations by SAPS, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the National Department of Cooperative Governance, municipal law enforcement agencies and other Western Cape Government departments.

Minister Marais and the Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi, addressed delegates during the conference, reaffirming the importance of closer cooperation between municipalities, the Western Cape Government, SAPS and all public safety partners.

“Municipal law enforcement is an increasingly important lever in our collective safety efforts. By enhancing law enforcement capabilities across the province, the Western Cape Government creates safer public spaces for our residents, “Minister Marais concluded.

The Western Cape Government will continue to build municipal law enforcement capacity across the province because our citizens deserve safer public spaces in which families can enjoy a more dignified existence.

Media Enquiries:
Kurt Nefdt
Acting MLO to Minister Anroux Marais
Cell: 084 285 1975
Email: Kurt.Nefdt@westerncape.gov.za