DEAR Editor,-
The most recent Victims of Crime Survey, released by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) today, reveals that South Africans are now losing trust in the South African Police Service (Saps) at an alarming rate, and are increasingly being prevented from living life to the fullest by a fear of crime.
According to the report, over half of South Africans fail to report incidents of housebreakings because they do not believe that the police can do anything about it.
One in three South Africans is prevented from enjoying open spaces due to a fear of falling victim to crime.
This fear also prevents 17 percent of respondents from allowing their children to play outside, 14 percent from walking to town or the shops and 11 percent from dressing how they want.
South Africans clearly also seem to have a complete and utter lack of faith in the ability of the Saps to be there for them in an emergency.
Only a quarter of respondents now believe that police will respond to an emergency in less than 30 minutes, while more than one in 10 report they don’t believe the police will arrive at all.
South Africans deserve to live in neighbourhoods that are safe and to trust in a responsive, well-trained, honest police service.
The right to freedom and security of the person, as well as to human dignity, is enshrined in our constitution.
The ANC national government has been unable to secure these fundamental rights and proven that they are incapable of fighting crime.
The Saps needs proper equipment, training and adequate staff to protect the people and they are not receiving these necessary resources.
Communities have become war-zones as a result of their neglect.
The DA is committed to building One South Africa for All, where the government prioritises the safety of all by ensuring the Saps is honest and professional.
JOHN STEENHUISEN
DA Team One South Africa spokesman on crime
