There are shortages of police officers in Gauteng, which makes it impossible to curb violence against women and children crime in the province, said the DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Community Safety, Michele Clarke, recently.
According to Clarke, in Gauteng alone, 63 women were murdered in just 30 days between 1 April and 21 May, and only 31 arrests have been made.
She said, “Rapid urbanisation has resulted in an increased number of people in the province – yet the ANC-led government did nothing to recruit more police officers. The number of police officers decreased drastically from 2012 to 2016, while the population increased rapidly.”
The police population ratio has decreased from 282 per 100 000 citizens to 196 per 100 000 citizens, as shown on this table below from the Gauteng Department of Community Safety:
Clarke went on to say, “Police officers often shoulder the blame for the failure to combat crime, But the lack of personnel and resources is not seen as an obstacle. Gauteng’s Community Safety MEC, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, must consult with the Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Deliwe de Lange and engage the National Commissioner and the Ministry of Police to intervene by urgently recruiting more police officers for the province.
“The DA will hold the MEC accountable if our people continue to be victims of crime due to a shortage of police officers to protect them.”
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