DA calls for monthly KZN crime stats

THE DEMOCRATIC Alliance calls on KZN Community Safety MEC, Willies Mchunu, to release crime statistics for the province on a monthly basis.
The move comes after the Western Cape announced that figures would soon be reported to the public each month.
The DA in KZN commends MEC Dan Plato on this forward thinking strategy and are urging MEC Mchunu to take the same progressive step.
The Community Safety Bill, submitted to the KZN Legislature by the DA in June last year, makes provision for such a measure.
Crime statistics that were released show that KZN is the province with the highest murder rate.
According to the DA, violent crime in general is either on the rise or has remained static at very high levels. The drug scourge is also out of control.
The DA argues that the police are hamstrung in their fight against crime by having to refer to statistics that are up to 18 months out of date. Meanwhile the people of the province remain in the dark as to the current crime levels within their own communities.
Significant ups in Vryheid’s crime rate compared to last year’s include sexual crimes which surged from just 97 to 120 cases.
Common robbery, malicious injury to property, smash and grabs and the illegal possession of firearms also showed a significant rise.
Although KZN had the highest murder rate, Vryheid’s cases reported decreased from last years 24 to just 20 this year.
Assault cases also had a significant decrease, the most astounding being assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm from 255 cases to 199.
Stock theft, burglary at residential premises and malicious injury to property were among the highest reported cases in Mondlo, the highest being assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm from 268 to 333 cases.
Not only would monthly crime stats greatly benefit SAPS intelligence, crime fighting strategies and police oversight, they would also assist communities in their own war against this plague.