Cape Town’s Intergovernmental Dispute: The Struggle for Devolution of Rail Services

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Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, has announced that the city intends to launch an intergovernmental dispute over the devolution of passenger rail services in the metropolitan region. This decision comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa failed to respond to the city’s request to form a committee on devolution, which the City of Cape Town has long pursued.

The Push for Devolution

The City of Cape Town has been seeking confirmation from President Ramaphosa regarding the Cabinet-approved White Paper on National Rail Policy, which aims to devolve rail management to capable metropolitan areas. However, the national government has yet to confirm this policy.

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Legal Action and Mediation

As there has been no response from President Ramaphosa, the City of Cape Town is now preparing to take legal action by initiating an intergovernmental dispute mediation process. According to the Intergovernmental Framework Relations Act, a mediation committee must be convened promptly to set the terms of the dispute.

The President’s Controversial Remarks

President Ramaphosa’s controversial remarks during a National Assembly question-and-answer session only fuelled the debate on devolution and intensified the conflict between the national government and the City of Cape Town. He referred to the calls for devolution as “secessionist,” suggesting that those who supported it were advocating for complete separation from the national government.

The Future of Public Transportation and Governance

The outcome of the intergovernmental dispute will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of public transportation and governance in the country’s metropolitan areas. The dispute serves as a reminder of the inherent complexity and ongoing challenges in achieving effective governance and public service provision in South Africa.

Hannah Kriel is a Cape Town-born journalist who chronicles the city’s evolving food scene—from Bo-Kaap spice routes to Constantia vineyards—for local and international outlets. When she’s not interviewing chefs or tracking the harvest on her grandparents’ Stellenbosch farm, you’ll find her surfing the Atlantic breaks she first rode as a schoolgirl.

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