WeeklySA_AdminSouth Africa, which is currently struggling with the massive problem of youth unemployment and an ailing economy could well be on the verge of collapse with the latest crime statistics painting a grim picture of a country on the verge of total collapse.
Crime figures released on Friday for the first three months of the year have portrayed South Africa as a dangerous country marred by rampant acts of murder, rape, kidnapping, ssexual assaults and assault GBH. The period January to March was the worst of times, according to Police Minister, Minister Bheki Cele.
During this period 6083 people were murdered compared to 5976 the same period last year – an increase of 22,2 percent. Those killed this year included 898 women and 306 children under the age of 17 . There were also sharp increases in sexual assault, attempted murder and assault GBH cases on women and children under the age of 17. There was also a 37,2 percent increase in the murder of children. A total 3306 cases of kidnappings were also reported.
It is also shocking that 10818 people were raped countrywide. Alcohol has been blamed in 1290 of these cases. Most rapes were reported at the Lusikisiki police station in the Eastern Cape, Inanda police station in KwaZulu-Natal and Delft police station in the Western Cape. Several factors have been attributed to the alarming increase in these violent crimes but the question still remains: What are the men and women in blue and their superiors doing about this situation which is fast spiralling out of control ?
There has been complaints from members of the public about a number of police stations where there were lack of important resources and most importantly qualified and trained officers who are able to investigate and bring crime suspects to court for a successful prosecution. Most police stations are ill-equipped especially with transport facilities. This makes them untrustworthy in the communities they serve because of their slow response to crime scenes. South Africa needs a police force that is always visible and on its toes especially when they are called to action.We need a police force that is ready to serve their respective communities with honour and pride. What is worsening our police force is the presence of rogue elements within the men and women in blue who accept bribes and collude with criminals to hamper investigations.
Cele has promised that the police would have to do things differently to win the fight against crime. He also lamented about the conditions under which the police were working and called for these to improve. Action must be taken against those officers who failed the communities they served. The SAPS was not a haven for criminals disguised as officers of law. Communities have also been urged to help the police in rooting out criminals in their midst. The Police Minister can promise so much but what South Africans need is a police force that must guarantee them their safety in their homes and in the streets. What we need is a resolute plan to make life difficult for criminals who are hellbent on making this country ungovernable.
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