SAPS release fourth quarter crime stats, as well as battle plans
With the release of the fourth quarter crime statistics, SAPS has outlined a plan as to how they plan to bring crime under control across the country.
Minister of the South African Police Services (SAPS) Senzo Mchunu released the fourth-quarter crime statistics for the period from January 1 to March 31.
Sandringham Police Station featured in the car jacking, kidnapping, and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs categories, recording 45 counts of car jackings, a 14% decrease in comparison to last year. Sandringham also recorded 39 counts of kidnapping, an increase of 19 %, while recording 77 counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, an increase of 14%.
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Mchunu noted that while SAPS did not reach their ultimate goals, the fourth-quarter figures confirmed that they made significant progress. “We are seeing significant decreases in most crime categories, when compared to the same period in the preceding financial year.”
However, sexual offences, including rape and contact sexual offences, along with commercial crime, showed an increase. These remain concerning trends, which demand renewed focus and urgent intervention.
Murder statistics
Mchunu added that he was encouraged that all but one province recording decreases in murder incidents. “The Northern Cape, despite contributing only 2% to the national murder statistics, recorded an increase, which cannot be ignored and will be addressed with targeted actions.”
The four high-crime provinces: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape, contributed the bulk of murder incidents nationally. “Yet, when compared to the same period last year, the current statistics offer some encouragement. Among the top 30 police stations for murder, 13 stations registered lower counts, and two stations recorded no change,” explained Mchunu.
Rape statistics and efforts to fight GBV+F (Gender-Based Violence and Femicide)
Rape increased, with Gauteng and KZN contributing 19.1% and 19.9% respectively to the national total. Decreases in rape statistics were recorded in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, and the Western Cape.
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Mchunu said, to help SAPS fight the scourge against GBV+F, the Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster launched a 90-day GBV+F blitz, which began on May 1. “This includes the revival of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on GBV+F, tasked with co-ordinating government interventions, resolving systemic bottlenecks, and ensuring measurable progress. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) is leading the co-ordination of frontline safety and protection efforts.”
Implemented measures to reinforce policing
The national policing summit, which was launched last month, aims to strengthen police service delivery to communities by ensuring professionalism and efficiencies in policing and is supported by the integrated crime & violence prevention strategy, which seeks to address crime and violence at its root cause.
As a measure to intensify SAPS’ efforts against crime, the following work is in the pipeline:
• SAPS reviewed its organogram, and is dividing visible policing (VisPol): All the legislative processes have been undertaken, including engagements with the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC). The division will lead to two separate divisons, namely: VisPol and the Operational Response Services (ORS) Unit.
• SAPS is increasing the number of laboratories throughout the country, equipping them with state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
• SAPS will enter into a memorandum of understanding with the the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), for the use of their facilities to assist with backlogs in the Gauteng province.
• Other enablers, which have been identified and which we will be implemented, are: The adoption and improvement of technology to enhance detection, response, and analysis, strengthening crime intelligence, capacitating and upskilling detectives, and, finally, the improvement of the general environment under which police officers operate.
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