CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE — Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has declared the South African Police Service (SAPS) incapable of winning the fight against crime, utilizing a pivotal voter registration weekend to demand urgent localized policing powers. Speaking directly to citizens ahead of the November local government elections, the Cape Town mayoral candidate pointed to a severe leadership crisis within the national police force as the primary reason communities remain unsafe.
A Breakdown in National Policing
The push for electoral participation is happening against a backdrop of severe public safety concerns in the Western Cape. Hill-Lewis cited a recent tragedy in Grassy Park, where four individuals were fatally shot while sitting outside a residence, as proof that the current policing model is broken.
He argued that SAPS has entirely lost control of the situation, highlighting a massive credibility crisis where nearly the entire top management echelon is either suspended or facing arrest, with additional generals taken into custody just the day prior. To resolve this, Hill-Lewis is championing the devolution of policing powers—a move he noted the provincial police commissioner recently conceded is necessary. His specific goal is to establish a dedicated metro police detective unit in Cape Town to thoroughly investigate violent crimes and ensure offenders face imprisonment.
Mobilizing Voters for Local Impact
These security concerns are dominating the first major voter registration weekend. Operating from sites like Bontville, the DA is urging citizens to verify their details on the voters’ roll or utilize online registration platforms if they cannot physically reach a station.
Hill-Lewis stressed that local government elections are the most critical for grassroots impact. He emphasized that the outcomes of these municipal polls directly dictate the future of infrastructure development, economic growth, public safety, and basic service delivery within communities.
Navigating Immigration Tensions and Economic Stagnation
The electoral drive overlaps with World Refugee Day and a surge in national friction over anti-illegal immigration protests, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. Addressing the rising social temperature, Hill-Lewis appealed for calm and lawful conduct.
“We are not hateful people. We are not violent people,” Hill-Lewis stated, urging the nation to embody its constitutional values rather than showcasing its worst elements to the world. He traced the root of these societal pressures back to a stagnant national economy that fails to provide employment, reiterating that fixing local municipalities is the first step toward national economic recovery.
When questioned about a former DA leader and Johannesburg mayoral candidate meeting with organizers from “March and March” in “Marcel Bay” to discuss intensifying anti-immigration demonstrations, Hill-Lewis defended the engagement. He noted he had verified with “Helen” that the party’s core message was strictly enforced during the meeting: an absolute condemnation of hate, incitement, and violence, in favor of strict law and order.
Shelter Addresses and Homeless Enfranchisement
The DA leader also addressed the enfranchisement of the homeless population, many of whom lack the documentation needed to vote after municipal bylaw enforcement dismantled tented camps. Hill-Lewis highlighted the city’s addition of 1,400 shelter beds over the past four years as a vital solution.
By moving into a shelter, individuals gain a physical address required for voter registration. While he acknowledged that substance abuse issues deter some from entering facilities where alcohol and drugs are strictly banned, he maintained that street dwelling is undignified and unsafe, urging the homeless to seek shelter to regain their civic rights and participate in the democratic process.
Demonstrating Governance Readiness
Concluding the interview, Hill-Lewis brushed off criticism regarding the DA’s preemptive announcement of its shadow cabinet proposals ahead of the President’s official reshuffle. Dismissing claims that the party “jumped the gun,” he confirmed he had maintained close contact with the President throughout the process.
He framed the early announcement as a strategic display of governance readiness, promising voters that a DA-led government will never shy away from making the tough, necessary decisions required to get South Africa working.