The Ministry of Police will release South Africa's annual crime statistics in the next two weeks.
The crime statistics will cover the 2009/10 financial year, that is, from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. Government releases these statistics once a year primarily to provide the public with an indication of the crime situation in the country.
It further needs to be noted that these statistics are not merely to quantify and create debate in society, but importantly used daily as a management tool to guide operational plans for the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The ministry is sensitising South Africans about this upcoming announcement but equally cautioning against some in society who may be tempted to utilise this occasion as a platform to politicise and one-sidedly cause confusion.
"Based on previous experiences, we are aware that there will be some in society who will be tempted to utilise this announcement to unfairly and subjectively criticise.
"Those who say it cannot be done should not obstruct those who are doing it. We urge them to refrain from such pre-emptive pessimism but rather contribute in creating a safer and secure South Africa," stated the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa.
The ministry therefore hopes to derive objective, honest and constructive feedback from various sectors post the announcement, which police will utilise to improve where there may have been shortcomings.
"We shall neither claim easy victories nor underscore our achievements where there have been successes. That is why we need to caution upfront that these statistics should not be utilised as political point scoring tools, rather as constructive platforms to give positive effect in defeating crime," the minister added.
The announcement will be made by the police leadership; Minister Mthethwa, Deputy Minister Fikile Mbalula and National Commissioner of Police, General Bheki Cele.
They will be joined by senior management and provincial commissioners. The categories to be covered include amongst others, include commercial crime, business robberies, house robberies, hijackings, robbery with aggravated circumstances, sexual offenses, murder and stock theft.
For enquiries, please contact:
Zweli Mnisi
Cell: 082 045 4024
