DELFT, Western Cape - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has pledged to establish what it says would be South Africa's first Metro Police Detective Branch if the party is returned to office after the local government elections in November.

The announcement was made by DA leader and Cape Town mayoral candidate Geordin Hill-Lewis during the party's Stronger Policing Pledge march in Delft on July 15.

Addressing supporters in Zandkloof Street, where four people, including a 13-year-old boy, were murdered three months ago, he said the proposed detective branch would investigate gang-related, firearm and drug-related cases.

Hill-Lewis said close to 200 detective posts across Cape Town police stations remain vacant, contributing to delays in criminal investigations. He also renewed calls for investigative policing powers to be devolved to capable metro police services, saying the City of Cape Town had repeatedly requested those powers from national government without success.

Announcing the proposal, Hill-Lewis said: "With your support in November, we will build South Africa's first Metro Police Detective Branch."

According to the DA, the proposed unit would recruit, train and deploy Metro Police investigators to work on gang violence, firearms and drug-related cases. The party said implementation would begin immediately after the local government elections should it be returned to office.

The DA also said it would take legal action if national government continued to refuse expanded investigative powers for Metro Police, arguing that the City had exhausted the available channels to obtain those powers.

Voter information

South Africans can register to vote, check their voter registration status or update their voting address on the Electoral Commission of South Africa's official online portal. Check your details here: https://www.elections.org.za/pw/

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