This was revealed by provincial community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko in a response to questions posed by the DA.
Mazibuko indicated that from the 2016/17 financial year to the 2020/21 financial year, 136 cases of robberies and break-ins were opened and valuable items worth more than R1.6 million had been stolen.
Despite such a high number of criminal actions, there still remains a low conviction rate compared to the number of arrests made.
Evaton and Vosloorus police stations have recorded the highest number of 16 robberies and break-in cases each, followed by Pretoria Central with 13 cases and Dobsonville with 10 cases, while other police stations have recorded below 10 cases.
Of these cases opened, only 41 arrests have been made with four resulting in conviction.
DA Gauteng shadow MEC for community safety Michael Shackleton said: “Police stations are regarded by communities as a safe place where police officers prevent, combat, and investigate crime, while protecting and ensuring the safety of all residents.
When these police stations fall victim to crime, it compromises the ability of police officers to conduct their business of ensuring the safety of residents, through regular patrolling, opening of cases, and response to emergencies.”
“The low conviction rate is totally unacceptable, and clearly indicates either a failure of the justice system, or the failure of the police to properly investigate these cases.”
The lack of adequate investigation of criminal cases has already resulted in many cases being taken off the court roll due to a lack of sufficient evidence that assist successful prosecution.
“The DA calls on MEC Mazibuko to immediately implement measures to mitigate the impact of these police station break-ins and robberies so that perpetrators face the full might of the law and that the safety of Gauteng residents can improve.”
