‘July and August were dangerous months for women’ says Minister Bheki Cele

MINISTER of Police, Bheki Cele, in his address on Friday, 13 November, highlighted the second quarterly crime statistics.

Speaking about the statistics, which reflect crimes which occurred from 1 July to end of September, Cele said he was pleased to note some decreases in the murder rate

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“Between July and September 2020, 5 107 people were murdered in South Africa,” said Cele.”This meant 339 less people were killed, compared to the same period last year. This is also the lowest figure for the past four second quarters from 2017/18 to date.”

Despite the decrease in murder Cele conceded that the period was not without problems. 

“July and August were dangerous months for women in this country,” said Cele adding that more people were raped in KwaZulu-Natal than in any other province.

Alcohol

“Crime statistics that we are releasing today continue to vindicate our actions as the SAPS to clamp down on illegal alcohol trading,” said Cele who admitted he had been very outspoken about alcohol which made him unpopular with many.

“These figures make it impossible to deny the true effect of alcohol sales. The rise in murder cases from the first to the second quarter of this year make it impossible to deny that alcohol sales led to more violence,” he said. 

“The figures show the consumption and abuse of alcohol is a causative factor in hundreds of murder cases recorded in the second quarter.” 

“Better usage of alcohol will result in a safer South Africa, especially murders and gender-based violence,” said the minister responding to a question from the media.  “Alcohol is one of the biggest generators of violent crime, crime against women and the crime of murder. We can’t just blame alcohol, there should be a better usage of alcohol.”

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Missing people

Asked about the recent high incidence of missing people, the minister reinforced the information that there is no waiting period to report a person missing. 

Cele said:  “It is true, there is no waiting time to report a person missing, there used to be, but there is nothing more of that sort anymore.”

He also advised to report missing people, especially children, not only to one police station but also another police station if they are prevented from making a report. 

“There is nothing wrong with reporting it to other departments, for example social development,” he said indicating that other government agencies will also put pressure on police to find missing people if need be.

“Though these circulars are being sent out regularly, there are still some officers who think there is a waiting period,” he said.

In cases where residents are sent away from police stations without opening a missing persons case successfully, Cele advised people to report the incident to  the station commander.

In 2016 cabinet took a resolution for the quarterly release of crime statistics. However this only became a reality this year, with the last financial year’s stats released in July, to accommodate the beginning of quarterly reports from August this year. 

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