Action Society today announced the formal submission of the #PeoplesPoliceBill, a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant full policing powers to district and metropolitan municipalities across South Africa.
The bill comes amid rising national concern over crime, police inefficiency, and the urgent need for community-based solutions. It proposes a structural reform of the South African Police Service by empowering local governments to establish and manage fully-fledged and empowered municipal police services — with investigative, enforcement, and crime prevention authority.
“For too long, our communities have suffered under a remote, over-centralised policing system run from SAPS’s HQ in Pretoria,” said Juanita du Preez, spokesperson for Action Society. “The current model is not working. It’s time to bring policing back to the people.”
The proposed amendment retains national responsibility for organised and cross-border crime through a newly created National Investigative Authority, while municipalities will handle day-to-day policing and crime response in their jurisdictions. The amendment therefore proposes policing close to communities and responsive to their needs.
Key provisions of the #PeoplesPoliceBill include:
• The right of all municipalities to establish fully empowered police services;
• A national coordination body to ensure inter-municipal collaboration;
• Independent oversight structures at provincial level;
• Community Policing Forums with real accountability;
• Structured cooperation between municipal and national crime-fighting agencies.
Action Society calls on the public to support this constitutional amendment. Citizens can visit https://actionsociety.co.za/peoples-police-bill/ to support the bill and make their voices heard.
“We are tired of all the crime and chaos. We are calling for change. We want policing that is ethical, effective, and embedded in the communities it serves,” added Du Preez.
The bill will now proceed through public consultation via Parliament’s Joint Constitutional Review Committee. Action Society urges all South Africans to participate and support this people-driven initiative.
