The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape welcomes the significant decrease in the murder-rate during April-June 2020 in the Western Cape but remains deeply concerned about the of gang-related murders that still occur on the streets of the province. Gang violence in the province perpetuates the system of social ills and continue to ruin the lives of many residents, and cannot continue unabated.
With the launch of the Western Cape Safety Plan during the last quarter to supplement the police service, we welcome the additional boots on the ground under the data-led approach. Accordingly, we also note a significant decrease across the 11 crime priority areas in the province and confiscation of a significant amount of illegal substances by metro cops and 19 drug related arrests during the last week.
MPP Reagen Allen says: “The release of the quarterly crime statistics has long been a priority in the province. We welcome the announcement of the decrease in significant crime categories but seek answers on how the stagnating and increase of certain crime categories will be incorporated into annual performance plans of the South African Police Service in the province to better safeguard residents.
We are also mindful that there may have been changes in certain crime categories due to the implementation of the lockdown and this requires a swift but comprehensive analysis”.
For example: Gang violence as a form of organised crime along with illicit trade of drugs require strong policing action. Unfortunately the quarterly statistics show that Drug Related Crimes as Result of Police Action has decreased in the majority of provincial police stations.
Crime detected as result of police action must increase to show effective policing. A decrease was however recorded in 103 of the 143 police stations (77%). The reason behind the decrease may be attributed to the shift in focus on lockdown regulations, however, these numbers have shown a year-on decline since 2017.
MPP Reagen Allen adds: ”This means that SAPS is losing the fight against drug busts and related crimes. This is particularly alarming as we know the intricate and problematic relationship between drug abuse, gangsterism and social ills.
I will closely study the quarterly statistics and invite SAPS in the Western Cape to present their plan on how these the alarming and increasing statics will inform the annual performance plans and/or station plans going forward to be of meaningful change for residents.”
We need SAPS to account for strategies around organised crime as a report on a lack of detectives in the province showed. Particularly on how this may have hampered crime fighting efforts and how this will be addressed in the future. The announcement of annual or quarterly statistics without a solid action plan to combat crime, leaves residents livelihoods in a vicious cycle of violence.
The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape will use its oversight role over the South African Police Service in the province to robustly and effectively promote the safety and security of every resident in the province.
Level 2: Please Drink Responsibly