Gauteng’s Community Safety MEC, Khabisi Mosunkutu, says the implementation of the province’s aggravated robbery strategy has led to a reduction in violent crime in the province.
Mosunkutu today told Gauteng lawmakers at his department's budget vote that there was a marked improvement in tackling violent crime, although he stressed the levels remained “too high”.
“Although statistics showed crime was decreasing, aggravated robberies were primarily responsible for the high levels of public anxiety over crime in the province,” the Community Safety MEC said.
Mosunkutu said the strategy was set up to aid the provincial South African Police Service (SAPS) to enhance their strategic ability to tackle the perpetrators of aggravated robberies.
The MEC said to date, “the SAPS have made 486 arrests and 28 of whom are hardened criminals in crimes such as business and residential robberies.”
We have also arrested 210 hijackers and recovered 116 hijacked vehicles.
Mosunkutu said the department was also working with the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes were convicted.
“To implement the strategy effectively we need additional capacity to monitor and track monitor progress of all trio investigations across the province,” he said.
He added that the role and resources of the crime management centre needed to be beefed up and police should be incentivised by giving them awards and also establishing dedicated courts to tackle priority crimes.
“With these changes; we expect to start seeing positive changes in these crimes during this financial year,” he said.
Source: Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gautsafety.gpg.gov.za/)
