Cape Town - A disturbing increase in crime statistics which was released on Friday were deemed “the stuff nightmares are made of” by the opposition Democratic Alliance.
DA spokesperson on policing, Zakhele Mbhele, said the party was alarmed at the increases in crimes such as sexual assault, murder, attempted murder, aggravated robbery and hijacking, stating that it is the reason communities suffered unnecessary worries and sleepless nights.
“We are losing the fight against crime, yet the SAPS are hobbled by the ‘four Us’ and are chronically underresourced, undertrained, underequipped understaffed. This impacts directly on the SAPS’s ability to make meaningful inroads in reducing crime,” Mbhele said.
Murder has increased by 4.9 percent, translating into a staggering 51 murders on average daily across South Africa. Attempted murder has risen by 3.4 percent.
There was a daily average of 363 aggravated robberies, an increase of 2.7 percent from the year before. Robberies on residential premises had the same increase of 2.7 percent and now saw an average of 57 houses being broken into each day.
Car hijackings increased by 14.3 percent, with around 40 taking place a day, Mbhele said.
“The national government has exclusive operational control and authority over the SAPS and is responsible for keeping South Africans safe, yet all South Africans live in fear. We live in fear that we or our families may become victims or that we will be revictimised,” said Mbhele.
“We can turn the tide against crime. This requires the political will and leadership to ensure that resources currently allocated are to put to the most effective use,” added Mbhele.
African News Agency