The quarter-two crime statistics for 2022/2023 have raised concerns about safety in South Africa, compelling many to call on the SAPS to take all necessary action to curb extensive crime that has been rising in the past few months.
The rate at which women and children are abused, violated, and killed in South Africa remains worrying.
The IFP is one of the political parties that has commented on the current crime statistics, criticising the SAPS for failing to respond to concerns about the crime statistics.
“Police Minister Bheki Cele in his briefing on the crime statistics for Q2 of 2022/2023, once again failed to inspire confidence that under his leadership, the Department of Police would be able to address the dire state of South Africa’s increasingly violent crime.
In a meeting with MPs earlier this week, the minister failed to answer concerns regarding the crime statistics; instead, he was defensive of the corruption that is within the SAPS system, the IFP said.
Crime statistics reveal that from July, 2022 to September, 2022, a record number of assault cases were reported to the police in five years, with 7 004 people murdered by other persons in the country.
In comparison to the 6 163 persons murdered over the same period in the previous year, a further increase in murders indicates the lack of haste with which this is being addressed, the IFP said.
“Unfortunately, it seems as if our Police Department once again needs to first see an increase in the total number of murders before doing anything about it. Just like in the first quarter of the 2022/2023 crime statistics discussion, the minister is once again calling for ‘more boots on the ground’, our question is why were they not on the ground already?” the IFP remarked.
“How will the SAPS leadership inspire the vigorous protection of women and children between the periods of November 25 and December 10, when they have shown themselves to be incapable throughout the year?”
The IFP said the statistics paint a bleak picture for South African citizens and further reveal that the SAPS provides no reason for citizens to regain confidence in their abilities, while crime prevention seems to be at an all-time low.
Burglaries at residential premises have increased from 35 949 to 40 550 in this quarter alone.
“This is disheartening for homeowners and occupants, as South Africans are not safe in their own homes and even outside the home setting,” the IFP said.
Contact crimes have increased exponentially, 137 145 in the last quarter and this quarter 162 518 is where they are currently sitting, an increase of over 18%.
“This speaks to the level of violence that should be sparking the SAPS into action, as this level of violence is not normal in a society that is not involved in conflict,” the party said.
“The IFP is enraged, saddened, and disheartened by these statistics, as they seem to worsen each quarter. We do not care for the excuses made by the police minister, as the comparison of these statistics to lockdown period statistics will not change the fact that these statistics represent the South African lives that were lost.
“We need leadership in the Department of Police that is proactive in their stance against murder, not one that creates new excuses every time they need to report on crime statistics,” the IFP said.
The Star