As gang-related murders surge in CT, Hill-Lewis calls on national govt to grant municipal police more investigative powers

CAPE TOWN - Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has called on national government to grant the city more investigative powers.

This follows a surge in gang-related murders this past week, including the death of a three-month-old baby in Bonteheuwel on Friday. 

The infant was caught in the crossfire when two gunmen entered a house and opened fire on a woman carrying an infant in her arms.

The city said that the anti-gang unit was severely under-resourced, with officers reportedly sharing five working vehicles.

Hill-Lewis said the city had filed a proposal for municipal police to be granted powers to investigate crime to improve convictions for gang, gun and drug offences.

"This underscores that it's increasingly irrational to resist the City of Cape Town's calls to devolve additional policing powers to the city so that we can help SAPS and ensure more convictions in Cape Town."

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