By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
26 November 2024- The ANC said it cautiously welcomes the 2nd Quarter Crime Statistics Released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) on 25 November 2024. The ANC said the release of these statistics serves not only as an act of transparency and accountability, but also as a call to action for all South Africans.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi-Bhengu-Motsiri said these figures lay bare the grim realities of crime and its impact on social stability, economic growth, and investor confidence. Bhengu-Motsiri said these challenge them to work collectively as a nation to combat the brazen criminality instilling fear in the communities.
“The ANC believes that addressing crime requires a unified effort. Communities, through active participation in Community Policing Forums (CPFs) and patrols, alongside organs of civil society, must remain central to the National Crime Prevention Strategy.
“Mobilizing these resources will strengthen efforts to reclaim our streets and protect our people. Key highlights of the 2nd Quarter crime statistics include decrease on murder cases by 5.8%, robbery decreased by 8.8%, sexual offences have decreased by 2.5%, including rape that has decreased by 3.1%.
“While these decreases signal progress, the ANC remains deeply concerned about the persistent levels of crime, particularly those linked to the proliferation of unlicensed firearms and drugs. These issues demand urgent attention and decisive action,” she said.
Bhengu-Motsiri further said the scourge of illegal mining must also remain a priority. She added that the intensification of Operation Vala Mgodi is crucial in addressing this threat, which undermines economic stability and contributes to illicit financial outflows.
“The release of these crime statistics coincides with the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign. This alignment reminds us of the urgent need to address the violence plaguing women and children, who remain among the most vulnerable members of our society.
“The ANC calls for renewed commitment to curbing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and protecting the rights and dignity of all people. Working alongside communities, civil society, businesses, and other stakeholders, the ANC reaffirms its commitment to building safer and more secure communities,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
She said the government must prioritize investing in crime prevention through increased budget allocations to bolster efforts against criminality and safeguard the state’s security. Bhengu-Motsiri said they acknowledge the valuable contribution of the private security industry, which has become a key partner in crime prevention.
“Initiatives such as Operation Shanyela, the deployment of Crime Wardens (Amapanyaza), the work of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (The Hawks), in collaboration with private security actors, are yielding positive results in the fight against crime.
“As we approach the festive season, the ANC urges heightened vigilance from both communities and the police. Efforts must be intensified to prevent crimes such as mall robberies, house break-ins, and Cash-In-Transit heists. Suspicious activities should be promptly reported to law enforcement agencies. The ANC applauds the tireless and patriotic service of the South African Police Service,” she said.
Bhengu-Motsiri said they salute the bravery of officers who risk their lives to serve and protect the communities and honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. She said the killing of police officers is an attack on the democratic state and must be met with the full might of the law.
The Guardian 