OPINION: Crime crisis – IFP calls for decentralised Saps

The recent release of the fourth quarter crime statistics for the 2021/22 financial year (January – March 2022) by the Minister of Police, Hon. Bheki Cele, was nothing short of a confession to South Africans that Saps is broken, and that citizens should brace themselves for the worst.

The Minister and Saps have once again spectacularly failed to keep us safe.

It is shocking and tragic that over 6083 South Africans have been killed in just three months. To compound matters, 898 women and 306 children were killed in the same period, while a further 10 818 women were raped. The 22% increase in the murder rate, 25% increase in the attempted murder rate, and the 13.7% increase in sexual offences are sending shockwaves through the country.

Communities across South Africa are still mourning the tragic loss of their loved ones, yet they continue to remain burdened by trying to keep themselves safe, especially women and children.

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These statistics reflect what could be perceived a serious breakdown of moral and ethical values among some South Africans. It will take much moral regeneration and introspection in order to safeguard our family and community values.

The IFP welcomes the interventions outlined as regards gender-based violence (GBV) desks are concerned. However, what is needed is more boots on the ground, working hand-in-glove with community policing to eradicate the scourge of violence and femicide in our communities.

It simply is not enough to expect only the 30 most crime-ridden police stations to report back to the Minister and the National Police Commissioner with so-called “accountability plans”. We want to see all stations delivering their utmost best in keeping South Africans safe.

The country also needs more than just 30 senior officers deployed to these stations. How can we possibly instill confidence in the Saps if only a select few stations will receive proper leadership and oversight?

Minister Cele cannot turn a blind eye while our women and children are getting killed, raped, and robbed on our streets.

Furthermore, the IFP cautions the government that Saps needs serious reform and professionalisation before matters become worse. We must devolve the police service once and for all into a federal structure, whereby provincial and local police are the experts on crime in their respective areas.

Drastic measures must be taken at this juncture, as it seems none of the government’s plans are working. It is time for new ideas, new approaches and real change to be effected at Saps.

HON. ZANDILE MAJOZI, MP IFP SPOKESPERSON ON POLICE

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