DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says a proposed Cape Town Metro Police Detective Branch would focus on building stronger criminal cases, as the City seeks expanded powers to assist SAPS with investigations.
DA leader and Cape Town mayoral candidate Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced plans to establish South Africa’s first Metro Police Detective Branch if re-elected in November, saying the move is needed to address gaps in crime investigations caused by vacant SAPS detective posts.
Speaking during the DA’s Stronger Policing Pledge march in Delft on Wednesday, Hill-Lewis said the proposed unit would recruit, train and deploy dedicated Metro Police investigators to focus on gang violence, firearms and drug-related crimes.
The announcement comes after four people, including a 13-year-old boy, were murdered in Zandkloof Street, Delft, three months ago. Hill-Lewis said no arrests had been made.
“I want to say this plainly: the tragedy that happened here was not inevitable. It was not bad luck. We must never, ever accept that this is ‘just how things are’ on the Cape Flats,” he said.
