Hill-Lewis proposes investigative powers for metro cops

CAPE TOWN - Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the City of Cape Town has filed a proposal for municipal police to be granted powers to investigate crime.

Hill-Lewis said the proposal forms part of the city’s official comment on new draft regulations for municipal policing powers.

The mayor has since written to the new acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, asking for his support.

"The city takes 400 illegal guns off the streets per year, but the conviction rate for these cases is just 5% due to our broken criminal justice system. With investigative powers, we can vastly improve this situation for long-suffering communities."

Hill-Lewis said if the proposal is granted it will allow metro police to get more convictions related to gang, drug and gun offences in the city.

"I have written to new acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia to ask his to support these regulatory proposals, and to help us get the existing cooperation agreement with saps working well in our city."

The mayor hopes the acting minister will help to make Cape Town safer by advancing the city's proposal.