Cape Town’s new mayor vows to make policing, crime a priority
Dan Plato has been elected as Cape Town's mayor
during a special council sitting.
Plato was elected by a majority in council on Tuesday, receiving 146 votes out of 208.
The other nominees included Xolani Sotashi from the African National Congress (ANC) and the African Christian Democratic Party's (ACDP) Grant Haskins, who respectively received 53 and 3 votes.
Plato election as mayor follows the resignation of former mayor Patricia de Lille.
Plato says his top priority will be the issue of crime and policing issue in the city.
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"I know that policing remains a major concern. One of my first tasks will be to recruit more metro police for the city. They cannot replace the role of the police but I will make sure that the city does what it can and plays its role when it comes to making our communities safer."
Plato expressed concern that the number of police officers patrolling the streets are decreasing.
He also wants to ensure that the police recently-deployed anti-gang unit becomes a permanent feature of life on the crime-ridden Cape Flats.
"I will be watching closely and if the gang unit is removed I will be the first to call fo its return."