Low conviction rate at Norkem Park SAPS needs attention

The poor conviction rate of cases registered at Norkem Park Police Station has urged the DA to call for an inspection of the station.

Mike Waters, DA MP and Kempvale constituency head, requested the South African Police Service Civilian Secretariat, as well as SAPS Inspectorate, to conduct an immediate inspection at the station following its “dismal conviction rates”.

“According to a recent parliamentary reply, the conviction rate for serious and violent crimes, including murder, rape, hijacking, drug-related crimes, house break-ins and car theft, have all declined to levels that are unacceptable and embarrassing,” said Waters last week.

“This followed a question I asked on how many cases of the above crimes were reported at the station, how many of these were referred to court and how many actually ended in a successful conviction during the past three years. It is evident that the conviction rate for all serious and violent crimes declined, even from a very low base.

“Residents deserve a police service they have confidence in and brings criminals to book. I have therefore written to the Civilian Secretariat and SAPS Inspectorate to conduct a fully fledged investigation into the police station as to ascertain why there is such a low conviction rate,” said Waters.

According to him, one of the responsibilities of the Civilian Secretariat is to provide civilian oversight of the police service through monitoring and evaluating overall police performance.

“I will also ask Minister of Police Bheki Cele when last Norkem Park Police Station was inspected by the SAPS Inspectorate and what the findings and recommendations were.”

Murder

2016/17: 11 cases reported, five to court, three convictions

2017/18: nine reported, one to court, one conviction

2018/19: 15 reported, 11 to court, no convictions

House break-ins

2016/17: 1 055 reported, 33 to court, 15 convictions

2017/18: 863 reported, 24 to court, 18 convictions

2018/19: 873 reported, 34 to court, nine convictions

House robberies

2016/17: 113 reported, seven to court, three convictions

2017/18: 138 reported, eight to court, three convictions

2018/19: 140 reported, seven to court, two convictions

Hijackings

2016/17: 136 reported, 12 to court, three convictions

2017/18: 102 reported, eight to court, one conviction

2018/19: 81 reported, six to court, one conviction

Car theft

2016/17: 224 reported, seven to court, four convictions

2017/18: 202 reported, 10 to court, one conviction

2018/19: 222 reported, 14 to court, no convictions

Rape

2016/17: 22 reported, 16 to court, seven convictions

2017/18: 26 reported, 17 to court, five convictions

2018/19: 37 reported, 23 to court, three convictions

Drug-related

2016/17: 186 reported, 186 to court, 30 convictions

2017/18: 220 reported, 220 to court, 65 convictions

2018/19: 186 reported, 186 to court, 25 convictions

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