Sir – The IFP believes it is high time to have an honest national dialogue around stringent measures to eradicate crime in KZN.
This comes after the crime statistics by Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, which painted KZN as haven for crime.
- Murder in KZN increased from 4 382 in the last reporting period to 4 395 this reporting period.
- Sexual offences jumped 6,3 per cent, going from 8 759 reported cases to 9 308 reported cases.
- Rape also increased in KZN, shooting up from 7 243 to 7 667.
- Carjackings increased from 2 698 to 2 764.
- Attempted murder also jumped from 4 099 reported cases to 4 203.
- Robbery with aggravated circumstances also saw an increase, rising from 94 914 to 97 505.
- Robbery at residential properties was also up, rising from 4 174 to 4 182.
This statistics report should be widely shared among those who are supposed to take action, as a wake-up call. It should not just be another report we develop and is then kept on the shelf.
As the IFP in KZN, we strongly believe the increase in crime levels in the province speaks to the disturbing levels of graft, bribery, abuse of power, failure to act and dereliction of duty by officials in all ranks of law enforcement, including station commanders, sergeants and warrant officers, who seem to always be in cahoots with criminals and law breakers.
The IFP further believes it is the right time to give provinces power to fight crime by decentralising policing powers. This is the moment for this province to have a police force which is controlled within the province, to fight crime according to the needs of this province and improve police integrity. Members of the public will start to report crime at all times.
We suspect there are many cases which go unreported, due to communities not trusting law enforcement members. Therefore, decentralisation of police powers to provinces is essential. Crime is the enemy of everyone, and if the public does not trust our law enforcement, crime and lawlessness will continue to get out of hand in this province.
Blessed Gwala, MPL: IFP KZN Spokesperson on Community Safety and Liaison
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