In a collaborative effort with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC), Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC Anroux Marais have formally introduced the “Lawyers in Police Stations Project”.
Winde noted that effective policing starts at station level, where many Western Cape and national stations face severe resourcing constraints that impact service.
While continuing to call for equitable law enforcement resources, the province is pursuing innovative partnerships and solutions to strengthen policing.
He said: “We must do everything we can to help the SAPS and the criminal justice system.”
Representing the Western Cape SAPS Commissioner, Major-General Michael Jojo described the initiative as a fruitful effort to support police and benefit the community.
Initiated in March 2025 at Grassy Park SAPS due to high levels of serious and organised crime in the precinct, the Lawyers in Police Stations Project provides the following services:
- Legal mentorship and training for SAPS officers
- Guidance on statement-taking
- Legal advice and support for the community
Under this initiative, a legal professional is stationed full-time at a police station for three years to offer ongoing mentoring and capacity-building to personnel.
Rather than interfering with police duties, the primary goal is to bolster the technical skills and capacity of station staff, thereby elevating the overall quality of policing.
Strengthening relationships
Marais said: “The aim of placing trained legal professionals in community service stations is not only to improve the quality of case dockets presented to court but also to strengthen the trust relationship between the police and the community which is too often strained by frustrations related to unsuccessful prosecutions.”
“While law enforcement agencies must work hard to prevent crime and increase arrests, this must be followed by successful prosecutions,” she added.
“Through this project, we are helping officers build watertight cases,” said GI-TOC Executive Director Mark Shaw. “GI-TOC has supported over 300 global projects in communities facing severe organised crime and violence.
“Our experience shows resilience requires a strong rule of law, effective local policing, and community trust — all of which this initiative aims to strengthen alongside SAPS and provincial partners by providing legal expertise.”
While one lawyer cannot solve these issues alone, Mitchells Plain offers a key opportunity to refine a practical model to strengthen policing and service delivery with SAPS and provincial partners, with potential for future expansion.
Enhanced police skills
The project enhances police technical skills, improving statement quality and evidence management to boost prosecution success.
Ultimately, these interventions create safer environments for communities and businesses. Abie Isaacs, Chairperson of the Mitchells Plain Safety and Development Forum, noted that expanding the initiative to Mitchells Plain is essential.
He said technical errors in statement-taking undermine case dockets before reaching court, depriving victims of justice and damaging public trust.
Having legal mentors guide officers helps construct solid cases, leading to successful prosecutions and restored safety and accountability.
The Western Cape Government, SAPS, and GI-TOC emphasise that building police station capacity fosters safer communities, improves policing, and strengthens the criminal justice system to better serve victims of violent and organised crime.
IOL NEWS
Nokubonga Ndlovu
iol.co.za