Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis proposed creating South Africa’s first Metro Police detective branch during an event in Delft on 15 July 2026. The plan has triggered objections from national police officials over legal authority.
Hill-Lewis made the announcement at the site of an April 2026 gang-related shooting that killed four people, including a 13-year-old boy. He linked the proposal to the Democratic Alliance retaining control of Cape Town after the November local government elections and said work would begin immediately on 5 November if the party wins.
National Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe stated that no law authorises a municipal structure to establish a detective unit for violent crimes. She noted that municipal police functions under the SAPS Act 1995 are limited to traffic policing, by-law enforcement and crime prevention.
Independent researcher David Bruce warned that expanded municipal powers could increase risks of corruption and abuse. POPCRU national spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said any new detective service must comply with constitutional mandates and could lead to disputes over investigations.
Hill-Lewis attributed slow case progress to nearly 200 vacant SAPS detective posts in Cape Town and said the city would pursue legal action if needed to implement the plan.
