Premier Lesufi heeds DA call to decentralise police functions in Gauteng

Mar 23, 2026 · 692 words · By Solly Msimanga

📰 Original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-03-23-premier-lesufi-heeds-da-c…

Topics

Policing Decentralization Resource Allocation in Police Stations

Detected Techniques

Loaded Language (confidence: 70%)
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Appeal to Fear (confidence: 70%)
Building support by instilling anxiety or panic in the audience.
Slogans (confidence: 70%)
Using a brief, striking phrase to provoke an emotional reaction.
Smears (confidence: 80%)
Using damaging allegations to undermine a person's reputation.

Fact-Check Results

“Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi has finally succumbed to pressure from the DA Gauteng for the devolution of the powers of the South African Police Force (SAPS) in the province.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm or refute the claim about Panyaza Lesufi's agreement to devolve SAPS powers

“He made this statement during the debate on the 2026 State of the Province Address in the provincial legislature.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify the specific context of the 2026 State of the Province Address debate

“We are standing together with the Western Cape on this particular matter to say like teachers reporting to the provincial government, like nurses reporting to the provincial government, the time has arrived that the police must join and there must be a devolution of power from national to provinces so that provinces can supervise oversight over the police.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm Panyaza Lesufi's specific statements about provincial oversight of police

“The DA Gauteng welcomes the premier’s utterances, finally joining our calls for the devolution of policing powers by empowering competent provinces to make meaningful decisions at the provincial and local levels where the impact is most needed.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify DA Gauteng's endorsement of Lesufi's statements

“The DA has consistently called for the decentralisation of the SAPS in every province.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm DA Gauteng's consistent calls for SAPS decentralization

“Police stations such as Akasia in Pretoria North and Johannesburg Central are struggling because of a lack of resources.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify resource shortages at specific police stations

“Akasia is supposed to have 48 vehicles but has 24, of which only 13 are currently operational.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm vehicle counts at Akasia police station

“Twenty-four out of 145 police stations do not have holding cells.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify the number of police stations lacking holding cells

“The severe understaffing crisis continues to cripple many police stations.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to confirm understaffing crises at police stations

“There is a critical shortage of vehicles and holding cells.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence found in archive to verify critical shortages of vehicles and holding cells

“It is about time that Lesufi comes to the party. Gauteng remains the epicentre of crime, with quarterly statistics showing increases in murder, attempted murder and sexual offences, among others.”

❓ PENDING

“The devolution of police powers would ensure that resources are allocated to the police stations that need them the most, particularly those that often rank high in the top 30 stations for various crimes.”

❓ PENDING

“Our communities are being let down by a broken police system at a national level and a premier who insists on keeping the Department of Community Safety under his direct oversight, despite lacking the capacity to manage it effectively.”

❓ PENDING