US Marines train Metro Police cadets on Cape Town beach [video]
· The South African
Beachgoers at Muizenberg recently did a double take after spotting United States Marine Corps personnel running drills alongside Cape Town Metro Police cadets.
Cape Town Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, explained that the session formed part of ongoing international cooperation aimed at strengthening the City’s policing capabilities.
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The US Marines are based at the US Consulate in Cape Town.
Posting about the exercise on social media, Smith said Cape Town regularly works with international agencies to improve its training standards.
“This time, the US Marines joined our Metro Police cadets and took them through their ‘standard fitness routine,'” he wrote.
Smith added that physical fitness is a key focus for the City’s Safety and Security division.
“Fitness is a culture we have introduced within our directorate and strongly endorse amongst our members.”
Watch the video below:
US Marines bring expertise to beach drills
This is not the first time Cape Town’s law enforcement agencies have asked for outside help.
According to Smith, the City has previously benefited from specialised training and cooperation in areas such as cybercrime, kidnapping investigations, poaching and narcotics enforcement.
“They support us in creating South Africa’s most reputable municipal policing service,” he added.
Political party raises concerns
However, the exercise has not gone down well with everyone.
The GOOD Party has questioned whether the City had the authority to involve foreign military personnel in municipal police training.
In a media statement, councillor Jonathan Cupido said the arrangement raises “serious legal, governance and accountability concerns.”
He argued that municipal policing operates within a national legislative framework overseen by the South African Police Service, and questioned whether the necessary approvals were obtained.
Cupido also warned that involving military personnel in training could blur the line between civilian policing and military structures.
For now, the City maintains the beach drills were simply part of broader international cooperation aimed at raising training standards.