(Note to Editors: Below is an amended version of the statement that was released earlier and contained incorrect statistics)
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) notes with concern the latest quarterly crime statistics – for the period 1 July to end September – which confirm that our province remains a dangerous place in which to live.
The figures, released on Friday by National Police Minister, Bheki Cele, show that KZN documented 1 208 murders – out of a total of 5 107 countrywide – during the three-month period with Mariannhill, Empangeni, Osizweni and Chatsworth identified as murder hotspots. This while, attempted murder in the province rose by 9.6% (102 cases) compared to the same period last year, with Inanda SAPS seeing an increase of 21 cases.
The province also came second only to Gauteng when it comes to rape cases reported with the following findings;
• 710 of rapes reported took place within the home of the perpetrator or the victim or in residences known by either the victim or the perpetrator
• 215 of the total number of rape cases took place in public spaces and;
• Inanda SAPS again fell within the top 30 stations countrywide when it comes to sexual assault, with 60 rape cases reported during the period.
In terms of residential robberies, KZN recorded 90 out of the entire country’s 304 cases. The province was also noted for having the highest number of SAPS officers killed for the period 2020/21.
These grim statistics show that despite interventions by KZN’s ANC-led government, our province remains a dangerous place in which to live. In fact, there has been no real progress when it comes to ensuring that women in particular are safe and when it comes to ensuring that our citizens are able to move about freely and live without fear in their own homes.
Of particular concern to the DA are the figures in terms of farm-related and rural murder cases. With KZN reporting three cases, this figure is far from accurate. If government – and provincial Community Safety MEC, Bheki Ntuli and his Department – are ever going to come to grips with the almost daily attacks on our rural communities, then specific data around this type of crime must be made available.
Of further concern are KZN’s high number of mob justice cases, at 68 and taxi violence related murder cases, at 25. These figures reflect the lawlessness that exists in our province and which continues to threaten the lives of our province’s citizens.
If KZN’s government is to deal with the unprecedented crime wave in our province, then there cannot be a blanket approach. There needs to be a strategy aimed at our province’s unique challenges which must include;
• Increased crime intelligence
• More oversight of SAPS stations to ensure that they are properly resourced
• Proper oversight to ensure the SAPS officers are properly trained
• The re-introduction of specialized units in KZN and;
• Increased engagement with stakeholders including community watches, CPF’s and private security companies.
These are all proposals which the DA has already made to MEC Ntuli and his Department. Yet they remain ignored. The DA sincerely hopes that these statistics will mark a turning point for MEC Ntuli and his Department and that they will begin to see the need to work together in the interests of the safety of our citizens. The only way to improve on the current crime figures is to implement proactive and preventive measures.
The DA remains committed to the fight for a safe province, one in which all citizens can go about their lives free from fear.
