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Decrease in Some Crime Stats

Dear Editor

Friday’s release of the crime statistics reflects the horrific daily experiences of South Africans. Despite some reduction in key crimes such as murder, if you ask anyone across communities whether they feel safer, their answer would be no.

From October to the end of 2024:

  • 6953 people were murdered [76 daily], including 7 666 attempted murder cases,
  • 54 337 people were assaulted (GBH) [591 daily], including 16 023 women and 2 164 children,
  • 11 803 people were victims of raped [128 daily],
  • 12 447 common robberies occurred [135 daily], as well as 36 446 commercial crimes [396 daily].

Despite year-on-year statistical decreases, including a 9.8% decrease in murder, 6% decrease in common robbery, as well as a 6.6% decrease in assault, crime remains a normalised ill in South Africa.

Further, the continued increases in commercial crimes (over 8% over the last year) remain of serious concern as the SAPS struggles to come to grips with extortion and related crimes.

We are constitutionally entitled to live in safety, and the DA will see that right to full fruition. We will continue to advocate for common-sense policies to keep all South Africans safe. These include:

  • Bringing Police Closer to Communities: We must bring boots closer to communities. Crime in our country is complex and unique to various communities. For a robust national policing strategy, it is imperative that this must be informed from situations on the ground. We will remain behind in our fight against crime, unless we devolve certain policing powers to competent provinces for an effective spread of resources. We also again call for expanding community-policing partnerships to proactively address localized criminal issues, particularly in high-crime provinces like the Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and the Eastern Cape.
  • Enhancing Crime Intelligence and Forensic Capabilities: Our approach to crime must be ahead of criminals and current is not. Technologically, we are outdated, as our forensic labs and intelligence systems must not only be updated but built for the future.
  • Focusing on Both Preventing Crime and Arrests: Crime is best fought before it occurs. Arrests and prosecutions are crucial, but we must intensify our prevention strategies in addressing socioeconomic drives of crime, including unemployment, poverty and inequality.
  • Ensuring Fit-for-Purpose and Accountable Police: It should be treated as an honour to wear SAPS uniform. Yet, over years, bad apples have cropped up, and they must be rooted out. While progress has been made by IPID, we cannot be complacent by small improvements. Stronger mechanisms are needed for consistent discipline and accountability within SAPS.

The DA is also concerned on recent findings by the Auditor-General, showing reporting discrepancies in crime statistics and operational targets. We will write to the Auditor General or seek her appearance before the Police Committee on how these discrepancies can be improved.

We will also stand behind the selfless, hard-working men and women of the South African Police Service (SAPS). Your daily sacrifices never go unnoticed, and the DA will ensure that you have all the resources needed in your duties.

Regards

Ian Cameron MP
DA Spokesperson on Police

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