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More police officers needed to curb crime in Gauteng

There are shortages of police officers in Gauteng which makes it impossible to curb violence against women and children crime in our province.

In Gauteng alone 63 women have been murdered in just 30 days for the period from April 1 to May 21. In these cases only 31 arrests have been made.

Rapid urbanization has resulted in an increased number of people in the province- yet the ANC led government has done nothing to recruit more police officers.

The number of police officers has decreased drastically from 2012 to 2016 while the population has increased rapidly.

The police population ratio has decreased from 282 per 100 000 citizens to 196 per 100 000 citizens, as shown on this table below from the Gauteng Department of Community Safety:

Year Total estimated population size Total number of SAPS members in Gauteng Police Population Ratio Number of citizens per police officer
2012 11 328 208 31 947 282 355
2013 12 728 438 30 513 240 417
2014 12 914 817 27 431 212 472
2015 13 200 349 27 940 212 472
2016 13 498 200 26 519 196 510

Police officers often shoulder the blame for the failure to combat crime while not considering the lack of personnel and resources as an obstacle.

Gauteng Community Safety MEC, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane must consult with the Gauteng SAPS Commissioner, Lieutenant General Deliwe de Lange in engaging the National SAPS Commissioner and the Ministry of Police to intervene by urgently recruiting more police officers for the province.

The DA will hold MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane accountable if our people continue to be victims of crime due to shortage of police officers to protect them.

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Illegal Weapons Linked to Increased Mining Violence

The DA condemns the deaths of seven people, including a one-year-old child during Saturday evening’s shooting in Crystal Park on the East Rand. The incident is alleged to be linked to warring illegal mining syndicates.

According to reports 15 suspects armed with what is believed to be stolen pistols and rifles are said to still be at large.

Illegal mining coupled with the illegal possession of firearms has seen a dramatic increase in violence during the past year.

While we welcome the investigation by police, the DA calls on Gauteng Police Commissioner Lesetja Mothiba to devise an “Illegal mining master plan” for a holistic approach to every aspect of this violent problem. Far too many innocent lives are lost due to illegal mining activities, and police are not suitably trained nor efficiently equipped to deal with this matter.

The urgent need for speedy police reaction to illegal mining cannot be ignored. The fact that 15 suspects – who are armed with illegal weapons – are still at large poses a great threat to society.

 

Media Enquiries:

Michele Clarke MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Benoni

060 558 8309

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