Crime stats: 63% increase in robbery in 10 years; citizens must secure own safety
2 September 2016
AfriForum’s prediction that violent crime in South Africa has shown a dramatic increase, was on target, with today’s official crime statistics launch by Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and Acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khomotso Phahlane in Cape Town.
According to Ian Cameron, AfriForum’s Head of Community Safety, statistics for house robbery show that the average South African is not safe in his/her own home. “Statistics show a shocking 63% increase over the past ten years, with an increase of 2,7% in the past year. It is clear that South Africa, in cooperation with local police, have to start taking responsibility for their own safety.”
Cameron adds that statistics show an increase of 3,2% in the murder rate, with 18 673 people who have been killed in South Africa in the past year. “Vehicle hijacking and robbery with aggravating circumstances remain points of concern. These statistics show an increase of about 14,3% in vehicle hijacking, while robbery with aggravating circumstances increased by a total of 2,7% – 10% in Limpopo, 6% in Mpumalanga and 5% in Gauteng.”
Cameron adds that Lieutenant General Phahlane’s Back-To-Basics strategy can only be successful when it is done in partnership with communities. “To emphasise the importance of partnerships between local police and communities, AfriForum is going to analyse the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) report, Winning the war on crime in South Africa, together with this institute on 6 September 2016.
“Although Lieutenant General Phahlane made a significant difference in the management of the police service, we cannot expect that the state will offer the only solutions for the high crime statistics. Efforts by communities themselves, like those by AfriForum’s growing neighbourhood watch systems and cooperation with the SAPS are more likely to ensure community safety in the coming years,” Cameron concludes.
Issued by Ian Cameron, Head: Community Safety, AfriForum, 2 September 2016
