The Portfolio Committee on Police deliberated on the quarterly crime statistics after their release, by Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, last week on Friday 30 August. According to the Committee Chairperson, Mr. Ian Cameron, the quarterly “statistics provide a stark reflection of the challenges we face in ensuring the safety and security of South Africa.”
Major-General Norman Sekhukhune presented the statistics to the committee, reporting an increase in contact crimes over the two quarters, with 171 707 crimes reported in the fourth quarter, an increase of 4.6%.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) recorded 153 637 contact crimes during the first quarter of this financial year, an increase of 2.6% compared to the same period last year, the statistics show.
Some committee members flagged the statistics on crimes against women and children as “particularly concerning.” Those statistics show the overall number of women murdered in 2023/24 is lower than 2022/23 (a decrease of 1.92%), however the significant increase of 7.9% in the first quarter of 2024/25 compared to the first quarter of 2023/24 is concerning.
According to SAPS’ statistics, 966 women were murdered during the first quarter of 2024/25, and 1 644 murders were attempted against women, with a further 13 757 women assaulted with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. In 2023/24, 24 942 women were murdered, significantly higher than in 2021/22 (9.1% increase).
Furthermore, the first quarter of 2024/25 saw 314 children were murdered, with 424 murders attempted against children, and 1 596 children were assaulted with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
One committee member, Ms. Molebogeng Letlape, said the statistics do not present anything new as the numbers from previous quarters show that these crimes continue to happen in the same areas as before. Letlape asked the SAPS delegation what strategies and measures were in place to address this.
“In terms of resources, in terms of crime intelligence, in terms of data collection, what are the measures and strategies that [you] have in place to ensure that there is a decrease in murders, rape and other crimes so that when we come back for the next quarterly report, we don’t find ourselves in the same situation?” Letlape asked.
She further stated it is alarming that despite efforts and budgets made available, improvement remains lackluster. She further noted that of those murdered, over 1 000 are women who are exposed to crime, murder and rape on a daily basis.
Another committee member, Ms. Lise-Mare Schickerling, reminded the meeting attendees that the chilling statistics on rape mean that there is a high probability that one of the women in the (meeting) room could be the next victim of rape.
Acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Tobello Mosikili, said figures showing arrests of gang members, rapists and extortionists indicate communities’ calls are being heard. She stated the focus of SAPS remains on serious crime, and will continue to receive the necessary attention.
Committee members raised further concern over the state of some police stations, which are in serious disrepair and are not conducive to quality policing. Others raised concerns over the lack of crime intelligence and limited resources, such as police vehicles, which hamper crime fighting efforts.
Minister Mchunu acknowledged that while current strategies are beginning to show results, there is more to be done. He reassured committee members that plans are in place to support SAPS leadership. “We are working on turnaround times. We need to improve that. We just need a little bit of time,” he said. “We don’t expect these numbers to persist. It will go down,” he stated.
The Minister conceded that crime intelligence is a major concern, specifically their capacity (numbers, technology and skills). He reminded the committee that crime intelligence has been “hollowed out over the years,” and improving the situation will take time.
Lieutenant-General Mosikili, in turn, reminded the committee that scarce resources are a challenge across the board. She acknowledged poor maintenance of police stations as a challenge but noted SAPS is working with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) to address infrastructure concerns.
With scarce resources, Cameron stressed the need for an integrated strategy where both SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority work towards common goals, “streamlining efforts to ensure that cases are effectively investigated, prosecuted, and brought to a successful conclusion.”
“As we work together to protect our communities, we must remember that our ultimate goal is to build a safer, more just South Africa for all. We cannot and dare not fail,” Cameron said. He further added, “only through such collaboration can we hope to restore trust in our justice system and provide the safety and security that the people of South Africa deserve.”
