Crime stats: Slight reduction in murder rate nothing to celebrate as 77 murders still take place every single day
21 November 2023
ActionSA believes the slight reduction of 59 murders which took place between July and September this year compared to the same period last year is nothing to celebrate as it still amounts to 77 murders taking place in South Africa every single day.
With 6945 murders taking place in the third quarter of 2023, it highlights how Police Minister, Bheki Cele, has simply been unable to turn around the dismal criminal situation in South Africa which has continually deteriorated, and how South African communities have been left to their own defences.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s refusal to recognise how abysmal Cele’s five-year reign has been further evidence that he is incapable of making the right decisions to fix South Africa. The truth is, President Rampahosa should have fired the Police Minister years ago and should do so today.
Urgent policy reform and attention are therefore needed to intervene at the South African Police Service (SAPS), partnering with civil society, to restore the rule of law and bring safety to communities which have been let down. Urgent attention must also be given to the socio-economic drivers of crime.