“We are very worried and concerned that we still see an increase in the number of murders in our country.
“SAPS and all other stakeholders need to devise strategies that would see the number of these deaths decreased,” says chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Francois Beukman.
This follows the release of 2013/14 crime statistics in Pretoria on September 19.
According to the latest figures, there are 800 more murders compared to 2012/13 crime statistics.
The crime statistics also reveal that attempted murder went up by 4.6 per cent and aggravated robbery increased by 12.7 per cent.
Assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm rose by 1.5 per cent.
Beukman says communities and all stakeholders must join forces with SAPS in the fight violent crimes.
The Committee is of the view that SAPS alone cannot win the fight against crime.
“We remain steadfast in our resolve to ensure SAPS improve its detective services towards realising safe and free communities. The Committee believes that an effective detective service can go a long way dealing effectively with some crimes.
“We welcome improvements such as a 3.3 per cent decrease in common assaults, a 5.6 per cent decline in sexual offences, with rape and sexual assault dropping by 6.3 per cent and 4.9 per cent respectively.”
He says the Committee would like to see SAPS replicate these successes in all other crimes.
“The fact that contact crimes are still troubling our societies is an indication that more needs to be done by SAPS and other concerned stakeholders. Crimes against women and children also need the utmost intervention.
“It cannot be that the vulnerable groups are still being victimized even though there are systems in place to curb this,” says Beukman.
The Committee calls on communities to report crimes to SAPS and that SAPS should ensure that it leaves no stone unturned in dealing with all crimes. Community members should not harbour criminals.
“It is high time our country embarked on a morale regeneration exercise, more so that some of the violent crimes occur between people who know each other or are known to the community,” adds Beukman. – @IschkeBoksburg
