Cape Town crime: Hill-Lewis cites 'tragedy as 5% of cases result in conviction'

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the metro's latest crime data highlights the ongoing violent crime and gang challenges in vulnerable communities.

The latest crime statistics reveal that gang activity is the biggest contributor of contact crimes across several police precincts in the metro.

Four of the top five police stations with the highest number of contact crimes in the country are in Cape Town.

Between April and June this year, the Western Cape saw 282 gang-related murders and 710 firearm-related murders.

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In the July to September period, a further 293 gang-related murders and 700 firearm-related murders were reported.

Hill-Lewis said local law enforcement agencies are working hard to arrest perpetrators of these crimes, but the conviction rate is worrying.

"Our officers those LEAP [Law Enforcement Advancement Plan] officers and our Metro Police officers they are incredibly successful in confiscating illegal firearms from the streets. But the tragedy only 5% of those cases result in convictions in the criminal justice system."

The mayor has renewed calls for more policing powers to be given to the municipality.