The DA-led provincial government was elected on the promise of pursuing devolved powers, with polling showing that 76% of Western Cape voters support increased regional autonomy. Several political parties, including the DA have joined forces with civil society to form the Western Cape Devolution Working Group (WCDWG). In making its judgment on self-determination, the UK Supreme Court relied heavily on the precedents established in an advisory opinion issued by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1998, which dealt with the question of the unilateral secession of Quebec. The UK judgment therefore potentially has a direct impact on the rights of the Western Cape to claim devolved powers, to demand federal autonomy, or to obtain Cape Independence. Applying the Supreme Court of Canada's test to the Western Cape would result in a very different outcome.

Source: News 24 December 10, 2022 19:02 UTC