CAPE TOWN - Cape Town's undisputed natural beauty is known around the world. But the city also has a dark side to it.
The Mother City has struggled to get to grips with rampant crime and gang violence for decades.
But mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is promising a turn around. His draft budget includes funding to recruit more than 700 metro police officers, to be deployed across the City.
READ: Western Cape Crime | Bolstered focus on eradicating Cape Town crime
Other key areas include infrastructure investment, to the tune of R39 billion over the next three years. There's also a sting in the tail. An electricity tariff increase of 2% on average.
But opposition parties are not impressed, saying the budget lacks details on housing for the poor.
The two-month-long public participation process on the draft budget has started. And the final version will then be tabled for adoption at the end of May.
By: Kevin Brandt