Crime stats bloodbath proves need for devolution
16 February 2024
Today’s release of the latest quarterly crime statistics proves that SAPS has totally lost control of the fight against crime in the Western Cape. With murder, attempted murder, and contact crimes continuing to rise across the board, it is clear that urgent change is needed in our province.
The data, which covers the period of October to December 2023, paints a picture of a country sinking beneath a tidal wave of crime and violence. In the Western Cape, murder has increased by 8.6% relative to the same reporting period last year, as has attempted murder (37.6%) and contact crimes (5.6%). These increases – in line with similar changes at the national level – imply that previous progress in the fight against crime is now being undone.
There are some glimmers of hope, with gains continuing to be made in the fight against sexual offences and GBVH. During the reporting period, the Western Cape reported 106 fewer sexual offences compared to the same period the previous year, and 117 fewer cases of rape. But while this is commendable, it does not erase the fact that lives continue to be lost to crime in our province.