Not a true reflection of crime

I refer, to last week’s front page story (‘Good year for Umhlali SAPS’). I find it hard to believe the statistics supplied by Umhlali SAPS management. My house has been looted four times in the past two years. I reported all four incidents to Umhlali SAPS and no case was registered.
I was coaxed to make an incident report for insurance and future references, because, an officer explained: it is useless to open a case if one does not know the suspect.  To someone who has a busy schedule this seems convenient.  Now, do you see how a major crime goes unrecorded and that is how Umhlali SAPS gained victory. During one of my visits there, a young confused lady came to open a case after being assaulted by her live-in boyfriend.  She too was coaxed not to open a case, instead, she was told to obtain a protection order. We must understand that most people who are affected by common assault, common robbery and residential burglary are blacks who reside in townships within Umhlali SAPS jurisdiction. Most do not know their rights and the law in general and they rely on police for good advice. Shockingly, they (community) accept whatever hogwash is dished to them. I find it hard to believe such significant drop in these major crimes and I am sure they are not the true reflection of what is happening in our area.  There are two ways of achieving such success; first, is by working harder, getting more manpower, getting more patrol vehicles and resources etc. I doubt Umhlali SAPS managed to acquire same.  Secondly, is by giving incident report numbers for insurances and future reference and discouraging the less informed masses to open cases.
In my opinion, there is nothing to be celebrated.  The crime statistics supplied are not a true reflection of crime.  Let us not forget that the SAPS has a reputation of crooking the crime statistics.  To the station commissioner, do not forget what happened to those who were involved.

BONGANI NYAWUZA
Shakashead

Response from Acting Station Commander Lt Col D.M. Fittkau
1.With regards to the stats supplied by Umhlali SAPS management, these stats are released by the national commissioner’s office in respect of every single police station.

2. With regards to the further allegations, I will state as I have stated many times publicly, my door is always open and I am more than willing to engage personally with the writer as opposed to through the medium of a newspaper.