VIOLENCE: SA IN CRISIS

THE release of the crime statistics report, which shows an increase in violent cases against women and children, a murder rate increase in all provinces with the exception of Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, and that an average of 57 South Africans are murdered every day paints a grim picture and is cause for grave concern.

National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders chief executive Soraya Solomon responds: “Some 20% of all murders committed in the last year were of women and children. This, together with an estimation that only between 10% and 25% of sexual offences are reported, clearly indicates South Africa is a country in crisis.”

A quick analysis clearly indicates that the number of police officers has dwindled in recent years and there are also too few police stations. The police force, which has been ineffective in curbing violent crime, has essentially failed the citizens of South Africa.

National Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole admits the service has a deficit of 62 000 officers and that while the country’s police colleges could train 7 000 officers annually, there is only funding to train 5 000.

The UN’S best policing practice claims there should be one officer for every 220 citizens. In South Africa, there is one for every 383 people.

South Africa’s high levels of crime and violence demand an effective force that is equipped in terms of size, skills and resources to respond to these critical times. However, a key role player in the fight against crime and violence, the government, has failed to increase and adequately train its police force.

Stop the talk and take action now.