The Portfolio Committee on Police believes that significant reduction of crime requires a holistic approach which should include addressing socio-economic challenges that contribute toward crime. “For us to have a situation whereby we have low levels of crime we need to address socio-economic challenges that have a direct contribution towards crime,” said Committee Chairperson, Ms Annelize van Wyk.
The chairperson said this following the release of the 2012/13 crime statistics in Pretoria today. The Police Minister, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, revealed that the murder rate had increased by 0,6%. There was a 6.5 % increase for attempted murder, which was in contrast with decreased levels attained over nine years.
The committee said SAPS should be commended for a relative high decline in a number of crime categories such as sexual offences, crime against women and children, common assault and others. “The decrease in most contact crimes over the nine-year period demonstrates a strong resolve by the SAPS leadership and members of the service to turn the tide against crime and to bring about a safer South Africa for all,” Ms Van Wyk added.
The committee acknowledged that there were a lot of challenges; particularly an increase in crimes such as carjacking and robbery at residential areas. Ms Van Wyk added that the SAPS leadership could not rest while crimes that directly affected people such as murder (which has increased by 0.6 %), rape (which has increased by 0.4%) and robbery at residential areas were still on the rise. “These are type of crimes that instil a sense of fear in people and communities. There is a need for a concerted effort to make sure that there is relatively high decrease in these types of crimes.”
Despite the relative increase, the committee said that the general decline in most crime categories over the past nine years sent a positive message to all South Africans that the country was peaceful and stable, and that the rule of law still prevailed and crime was not out of control.
The committee further said it was important to maintain the momentum and fiercely protect the gains that have been made (in the fight against crime) over the years. “The business as usual approach won’t work if the police want to turn the tide against crime.
The SAPS leadership needs to make sure that National Development Plan recommendations are implemented since that will go a long way in decreasing crime levels,” said Ms Van Wyk. She added that it was critical for all role-players to work together in addressing issues of job creation, skills development, substance abuse and domestic violence as well as education in such a way that promotes social cohesion and tolerance which would thereby see a reduction in crime.
For media enquiries with the Chairperson, Ms Annelize van Wyk, please contact:
Temba Gubula (Mr), Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8307
Cell: 078 735 8809
E-mail: tgubula@parliament.gov.za
