Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has welcomed Parliament’s decision to launch a probe into violent crime, saying the process could help accelerate improvements in conviction rates for gang-related, gun and drug offences, and strengthen policing capacity in high-risk communities.
The City believes the probe offers an opportunity to highlight practical reforms that can enhance safety outcomes, including expanding policing powers for municipal officers and increasing resources for the South African Police Service (SAPS). According to the Mayor, higher conviction rates remain essential to reducing violent crime and building safer neighbourhoods.
Hill-Lewis said the City’s growing investment in safety demonstrates that local interventions can make a measurable difference. Over the past four years, the City has added more than 1 200 officers to the streets and increased its vehicle fleet, enabling faster response times and more proactive operations. These efforts have contributed to the removal of illegal firearms and drugs in several hotspot areas.
However, conviction rates for serious offences remain low, largely due to capacity constraints within the criminal justice system. The City argues that allowing municipal law enforcement officers to assist with investigations would help build prosecution-ready case dockets, strengthening the pipeline from arrest to successful conviction.
The parliamentary probe is expected to include an assessment of resource gaps and structural challenges in high-crime areas. The City plans to share data and community feedback to support evidence-based recommendations that benefit residents living in gang-affected communities.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said improved collaboration between SAPS, prosecutors and municipal law enforcement is essential to tackling organised crime. He noted that intelligence-led operations, supported by adequate resources, can significantly disrupt criminal networks and improve safety outcomes for vulnerable residents.
Data shared with Parliament shows SAPS precincts across Cape Town face high vacancy rates, including a shortage of detectives. The City says addressing these gaps, widening policing powers within clear safeguards, and ensuring stable provision of essential investigative tools will collectively strengthen the fight against violent crime.
Both Hill-Lewis and Smith emphasised that long-term progress depends on reforming the broader criminal justice system, ensuring that frontline officers and investigators have the support they need, and maintaining strong partnerships with communities. The City views the parliamentary probe as an important step toward creating safer, more resilient neighbourhoods across Cape Town.
