Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has released the second-quarter crime statistics and highlighted progress and challenges experienced by the South African Police Service (SAPS), indicating crime is beginning to slow down, but more work is needed to be done.
Releasing the statistics on 25 November, the Minister emphasised strides made under the 7th Administration, which is working to transform the SAPS into a modern, efficient, and community-centered institution.
From July to September 2024, crime trends began to show a general decline, with serious crimes reducing by 5.1%. Notable decreases were observed in murder, rape, aggravated robbery, and property-related offenses, although attempted murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm saw slight increases. These mixed results underscore the importance of sustained efforts to address both violent and organized crime, noted the Minister.
Operational successes during this period included dismantling drug laboratories, arresting individuals involved in illegal mining and cash-in-transit heists, and confiscating significant amounts of firearms, ammunition, and drugs. Convictions have also increased, with 265 life sentences issued for serious crimes and substantial penalties for those involved in organized and economic crimes.
Despite these achievements, the Minister stated challenges still persist, including high levels of gender-based violence, organized crime, corruption, and the need for improved forensic and intelligence capabilities. The Ministry has emphasized the importance of harmonizing crime and corruption strategies, focusing on community involvement, and aligning efforts across provincial and national levels.
The Minister stated government is committed to reducing crime and creating safer communities for all South Africans. This will require sustained collaboration across all sectors of society, along with ongoing dedication to addressing the root causes of crime and delivering justice effectively. The shared goal remains clear, believes the Minister, of “a secure, peaceful South Africa where all citizens can thrive without fear.”
The Democratic Alliance, in a statement, noted the improvements achieved by the SAPS, but stated the country still faces high rates of violence, with concerning increases in crimes against women and children. Annual data shows an 8.6% rise in murders of women and a staggering 33.7% rise in attempted murders of children. Further, commercial crime has surged by 18.5%, reflecting the growing prevalence of extortion.
Additionally, the DA praised the success of Operation Shanela, which led to over 260,000 arrests and significant seizures of firearms and drugs and underscores the importance of intelligence-led and high-density policing.
Provinces like Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and Limpopo have made strides against illegal mining, drug manufacturing, and organized crime syndicates. However, gaps in crime intelligence, technology, and forensics remain critical obstacles noted the DA, alongside poor coordination across the criminal justice system and resource disparities among regions.
The DA further called on Minister Mchunu to acknowledge the systemic issues within SAPS management, calling for reforms to address inefficiencies and improve accountability.
The DA continues to call for the devolving of police powers to allow provinces and localized communities to address unique crime challenges more effectively. Emphasis is additionally placed on the enhancement of forensic capabilities, modernizing technology, and tackling the socio-economic drivers of crime to shift from reactive measures to prevention.
