Even though the police’s latest crime statistics do show a general downward trend, which should be welcomed, the harsh reality is that South Africa is still drowning in a sea of violent crime.
Two examples are murder and rape. The latest statistics indicate a significant drop of 757 (9,8%) fewer murders between October and December last year when compared to the previous year.
The reality, however, is that 6 963 murders were still committed during this time. That comes down to about 77,3 per day, which means that three people were murdered in South Africa every hour.
Rape is down by 3,3%, or 408 incidents, compared to a year ago. Likewise, the harsh reality remains: 11 803 women were raped in a single quarter. That comes down to 131 per day or 5,5 every hour.
Gender-based violence should be tackled in earnest. Lip service will not achieve anything.
These figures are not only a shocking testament to the state and standard of policing in general, but also to our South African society which appears to have become desensitised to crime.
One area that has been plagued by crime for decades is the Cape Flats, where gang-related activities are so deeply rooted that it is nearly impossible to eradicate.
The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, made special mention of the high incidence of crime in Bishop Lavis and Delft in the Cape Flats, calling them crime hotspots.
It has become customary for the police station in Mitchells Plain to be one of the five police stations with the most reported incidents of crime in the country.
There is no reason for it to stay that way. Too many children are losing their lives in gangs’ crossfire. It is time to crack down on gangs and crime, which mainly affect coloured communities in the Cape.
Other crimes showing a decrease include contact crime, such as murder (-9,8%), robbery (-6%) and armed robbery (-13,1%).
The same goes for the feared trio crimes. Carjacking decreased by 19,5%, robberies at residential premises by 1,6% and robberies elsewhere are down by 21,3%. Transit heists decreased by nearly 40%.
Ordinary crimes, which are a daily nightmare for all South Africans, also show a welcome decline. Burglary and theft at residential premises are down by 12,3%, burglary elsewhere by 19%, the theft of cars and motorbikes dropped by 18,3%, and even livestock theft is down by 4,5%.
According to the statistics, only one farmer was murdered during this time. That is still one too many in the FF Plus’s view.
The good news of lower crime levels is welcomed, but the figures still show that in reality, the entire South Africa is a crime den – not just a few hotspots in the Cape Flats.
;
