Cape Town – The GOOD Party is demanding an explanation regarding United States Marines seen training Cape Town Metro Police cadets on Muizenberg Beach.
Responding to media reports about the training, GOOD Party Councillor Jonathan Cupido on Monday, 13 April 2026, stated: “The presence of U.S. Marines training Cape Town Metro Police cadets on Muizenberg Beach is not something that can be brushed off as a simple ‘fitness session’”.
Cupido added: “It raises serious legal, governance, and accountability concerns.
“Municipal policing in South Africa is not a free-for-all.”
On Friday, 11 April 2026, JP Smith posted on Facebook: “U.S. Marines on Muizenberg beach?! If the sight caused some confusion, here’s why-
“We regularly accept assistance from international policing agencies as they support us in creating South Africa’s most reputable municipal policing service.
“From specialized training in cyber crime, kidnapping, poaching, narcotics, investigation techniques, we are always trying to lift the bar.
“’This time, the U.S. Marines joined our Metro Police cadets and took them through their ‘standard fitness routine’.”
“Fitness is a culture we have introduced within our directorate and strongly endorse amongst our members. Fit for purpose!”
However, GOOD Party councillor Cupido stated that the Constitution is clear that municipal police services must operate within a national legislative framework, and the South African Police Service Act makes it equally clear that the National Commissioner determines the standards and training applicable to municipal police.
“The City does not have the authority to improvise training arrangements outside of that framework,” said Councillor Cupido.
“Yet, the City has confirmed that this forms part of ‘ongoing international cooperation,’ with references not only to fitness training but also to broader areas such as cybercrime, kidnapping, narcotics, and investigative techniques.”
Councillor Cupido said this “immediately raises red flags”.
In that regard, Councillor Cupido demanded that the City answer, clearly and publicly, the following questions:
- Under what legal authority were U.S. Marines involved in training a municipal police service?
- Was this authorised or approved by the National Commissioner of SAPS?
- Was this strictly limited to physical training, or did it extend into policing functions?
- What agreement governs this “international cooperation”, and what are its terms?
- What did this cost, and who approved it?
The GOOD Party councilor said Cape Town already has accredited training structures for its law enforcement and Metro Police.
“If the City now requires foreign military involvement to train its officers, then something is fundamentally wrong with its own systems,” Councillor Cupido said.
“More importantly, this creates a dangerous blurring of lines between military structures and civilian policing, something our constitutional framework is deliberately designed to prevent.
“Residents are not asking for beach drills and PR moments.
“They are asking for safer communities, visible policing, functioning investigations, and real consequences for criminals.”
Councillor Cupido said the training appeared more like a distraction than a safety intervention.
“If the City believes this was appropriate, then it should have no problem placing the full legal basis, approvals, and agreements on record,” said Councillor Cupido.
“If it cannot do so, then it must explain why it acted outside of the framework that governs policing in South Africa.
“Cape Town cannot claim to uphold the rule of law while selectively stepping outside of it when it suits them.”
