Latest crime statistics for Gauteng not credible
5 September 2022
The FF Plus does not find the latest crime figures for Gauteng (April to June 2022), which were recently released, credible in light of a directive that was issued prohibiting certain serious crimes from being reported to the Meyerton police station if no suspect has been identified in the case.
The directive, issued by the Meyerton police station commander, Col. Victor Lepitla, in May this year, was nailed to a notice board and prohibits all police officers from opening a case docket for certain crimes if there is no suspect.
According to Lepitla, this directive was an instruction from the provincial Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Elias Mawela.
The FF Plus is satisfied with the confirmation from Maj. Gen. Zodwa Molefe, from the police's human resources department, that they are looking into a case against Col. Lepitla.
In the past, the figures for serious assault, ordinary assault, malicious damage to property and theft all showed a sharp upwards trend, but have now dropped with several percentage points.
The FF Plus is of the opinion that the directive may have been circulated to other police stations as well, if it came from the provincial Police Commissioner's office, which may have had a significant influence on crime statistics.
Compared to the corresponding period last year, the crime figures for assault dropped with 5% from 11 036 to 10 461, while assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm dropped with 10% from 8 743 to 7 835. In the same period, incidents of malicious damage to property decreased from 6 729 to 6 630.
The party is seriously concerned about the rest of the figures too, as murder increased with 24%, attempted murder with 22% and truck hijackings with 23%.
These statistics clearly show that the Gauteng police no longer have any control over crime, and that there is a serious need for more and better trained police members with adequate equipment at their disposal.
Issued by Kobus Hoffman, FF Plus MPL: Gauteng, 5 September 2022
