The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) is concerned over the marked increase in crimes against businesses.
CEO of SACCI, Neren Rau said in a statement on Monday “Crime is already a significant cost factor to many businesses due to expenses made on security and higher insurance premiums.
“A single incident of burglary, robbery or high jacking disrupts business operations for several days that in total impose a significant cost on the South African economy. The 13 per cent annual increase in robberies at business premises is a clear indication that the South African Police Service (SAPS) must urgently improve its coordinated policing at malls, offices and factories around the country.
“The combined 92 215 incidents of robberies and burglaries at business premises translate to at least R500 million in lost production (assuming the average turnover is R2 million per year and only one day of production is lost). This figure excludes the repair and replacement costs. Truck hijackings (5 per cent increase) and bank robberies (200 per cent increase) imposes an additional cost as the disruption of crucial logistical chains and services often widens out to hundreds of businesses.”
SACCI is also concerned about the increase in several violent crime categories and wish to send our condolences to the victims and their families.
Rau continued “SACCI hopes that initiatives like community policing forums and cooperation between business and the SAPS on a task-team level can force a rapid drop in crime. Sustainable economic improvement and strong investor confidence is entirely dependent on a safe and crime-free country.
“South Africa is already ranked 56th in the world in terms of competitiveness by the World Economic Forum (WEF), so there is an urgent need to address crimes against business. South Africa ranks 133rd for the business cost of crime and violence, 99th for organised crime and 102nd for the reliability of police services.”
