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Residents’ lives at high risk as Gauteng Police Stations continue to dominate national crime stats

Millions of Gauteng residents are at risk of experiencing crime daily, as the recent crime statistics reflect no improvement.

Gauteng police stations are devastatingly dominating the national top 30 police stations in the following cases reported kidnapping, rape, sexual assault, murder, stock theft, carjackings, trio crimes (carjackings, house robberies and business robberies) and attempted sexual assault.

Even though the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, is aware of the shortfalls that hinder Gauteng police stations from combating crime, such as the high vacancy rate and lack of vehicles, she has done nothing yet to ensure that our police stations are adequately equipped with resources.

In a period of three months from 1 July to 30 September 2022, there has been a sharp increase in below crimes:
• Kidnapping increased by 164.3%, from 796 to 2104
• Attempted sexual assault increased by 8.2%, 49 to 53
• Robbery in residents increased by 4.2%, from 1829 to 1906
• Trio crimes increased by 8.6%, from 5920 to 6427
• Rape increased by 10.2%, 2054 to 2263
• Murder increased by 19.6%, from 1320 to 1857
• Sexual assault increased by 4.7%, from 490 to 513
• Carjacking increased by 17%, from 2518 to 2945

This is only a reflection of zero crime intelligence within our police services.

The DA continues to demand Minister of Police, Bheki Cele and MEC Mazibuko adopt the DA’s Community Safety Oversight Bill which will put emphasis on improving police intelligence in Gauteng. This Bill is the only solution to improve police service delivery and ensure that all our police stations are well-equipped and monitored to deliver adequate services to the communities they serve.

The residents of Gauteng lack confidence in our police services, and we cannot blame them. Communities are fighting crime alone, particularly crimes against vulnerable members of society particularly, women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities which has risen even in institutions for learning.

Our police services need a proper crime intelligence approach because we cannot expect police officers to fight crimes such as rape, carjackings, and murder if we have poor crime intelligence and a lack of resources.

Furthermore, the DA demands the devolution of powers and decentralisation of the South African Police Services (SAPS) so that each province can manage police resources and budget on their own without interference from the national government.

The failures of Minister Cele and MEC Mazibuko leave them no choice but to vacate their offices. When the DA governs in 2024, we will implement our Community Safety Oversight Bill, which will serve and protect the vulnerable residents of Gauteng from criminals.

Click on the link here to Support the DA’s Community Safety Bill.

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Only one case of illegal electricity connections opened in Kathorus in four years

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is shocked to learn that only one case has been opened with regards to illegal electricity connections in Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus (Kathorus) since the 2016/17 financial year to date.

This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko in a written reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).

According to MEC Mazibuko, only one case has been opened in relation to illegal electricity connections with the main charge of tampering with, damaging and destroying essential infrastructure in Thokoza on 17 September 2020.

This case resulted in one arrest, yet it was provisionally withdrawn in court pending additional evidence which needed to be submitted. The court case was due for the 21 October 2020.

It is worrying that there are numerous illegal connections in Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus yet only one case has been opened since the 2016/2017 financial year to date.

These areas consist of a number of informal settlements and old townships that are connecting electricity illegally which has resulted in our current electricity crisis.

The fact that only one arrest has been made with regards to illegal electricity connections in these areas in four years clearly indicates that the police and Eskom are failing to curb illegal electricity connections in these areas.

Kathorus residents have been experiencing power outages which have left thousands of residents without electricity.

The DA believes that it is the responsibility of the Eskom to ensure the stoppage of illegal electricity connections with the help of the police in arresting the perpetrators and gathering adequate evidence to ensure that the case results in prosecutions.

The illegal electricity connections pose a great risk as it overloads the system which often causes power connections to trip or fail and are hazardous and can cause electrocution.

We call on MEC Mazibuko to ensure that the police stop illegal electricity connections in Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus by arresting the perpetrators and ensuring that there is enough evidence for prosecution. We also urge the residents to report illegal electricity connections.

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DA calls on MEC Mazibuko to ensure the safety of rightful landowners in Elandsfontein

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is calling on the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko to ensure the safety of the rightful property owners in Elandsfontein, Midvaal.

This follows tension between the illegal land invaders and the rightful property owners after the illegal occupants were legally removed and their structures destroyed following a court order in favour of the rightful property owners.

It is alleged that the illegal land invaders have been protesting despite being forcefully removed from the properties that they illegally invaded.

It is also alleged that the rightful property owners are now being intimidated and threatened with petrol bombs by the protesters.

We condemn in the strongest terms any form of violence and lawlessness by the protesters.

Land invasion is illegal and can no longer be tolerated.

It is high time that the law enforcement agencies act against the criminal elements that are being demonstrated by these lawless protesters.

We also urge the rightful property owners to report any incidents of intimidation to the police and not to take the law into their own hands.

The DA calls on MEC Mazibuko to protect the rightful landowners and their properties as their lives are at risk and their safety is under threat. The only solution to these illegal land invasions is for government to ensure that they deliver the houses that they promised our people.

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DA calls on MEC Mazibuko to investigate the incident of a police officer assaulting a woman

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is calling on the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko to investigate the incident of a police officer assaulting a woman inside the police station.

This follows a shameful incident captured in a video which went viral on social media. The video shows two male police officers forcefully dragging a woman across the floor inside the Client Service Centre.

One of the male officers is then seen assaulting the woman who is screaming for help.

It is alleged that the incident happened on Monday at the Evaton police station.

The video can be seen here

This unethical conduct by the police cannot be tolerated.

It is a crime to assault anyone and the fact that it was done by a police officer who has a duty to prevent crime is worrying and questions the safety of women in our police stations.

It is sad and disturbing that this incident occurred while the country is experiencing a high rate of murder and domestic violence against women.

The only way to present such acts by the police is to hire police officers, and to retain officers, with a passion for policing so as to make SAPS honest, professional and ensure that it serves and protects our people.

We will monitor the progress of the investigation into this incident to ensure that the law takes its course and that the victim gets the justice she deserves.

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251 children die as a result of gender-based violence in Gauteng

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned that 251 children have died as a result of gender-based violence in Gauteng over the past five years.

This was revealed to me by the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko in a written reply to my questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

According to MEC Mazibuko from 2014 to 2018, 251 children died with 13 children dying alongside their mothers or grandmothers as a result of gender-based violence in the province.

The safety of our women and children is under threat as it is reported on a daily basis that women and children are being

Furthermore, 131,210 gender-based violence cases has been opened at the Police Stations around Gauteng from 2014 to 2018.

Of these cases opened only 44,522 arrests have been made with only 9,786 convictions.

It is worrying that many cases have been opened but the arrest and conviction rates are very low.

It is high time that cases of gender-based violence are prioritised to ensure justice for the victims. There are no specialised units within SAPS that deal solely with gender-based violence.

The DA believes that the only way to fight the scourge of gender-based violence is through professionalising our police service. We need police officers that are specifically trained to deal with gender-based violence and who have a thorough knowledge of the legislative frameworks for women’s rights and the rights of child crime victims.

I will be writing to MEC Mazibuko calling for the establishment of specialised units to deal with gender-based violence.

As we mark 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, we call on communities to speak out on issues of gender-based violence as this social ill has a negative impact on the well-being of all our people. The awareness against gender-based violence must not only be conducted during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children but in 365 days a year.

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#GautengGangHotspots: Sophiatown, Reiger Park and Eldorado Park identified as gang-related crime hotspots

Sophiatown, Reiger Park and Eldorado Park have seen a spike in gang-related crimes during the 2019/2020 financial year.

This was revealed to me by the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko in a written reply to my questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

According to MEC Mazibuko the Gauteng Anti-Gang Task Team was established at the end of the 2018/19 financial year.

A total of 43 cases related to gangsterism have been reported since its inception.

This clearly indicates that gang-related crimes are also a serious challenge facing our communities.

Fighting gang-related crime should not only happen once a year but should rather be the focus of ongoing crime fighting activity by SAPS. This must include local patrols as well as having an extensive local intelligence network.

We call on MEC Faith Mazibuko to strengthen the fight against gang-related crime as our communities are at risk and lawlessness is the order of the day.

I will be tabling follow-up questions to the MEC in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to determine how many people have been arrested, prosecuted and convicted from these 43 reported cases.

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Ratio of SAPS member to citizens too low to keep Gauteng safe

The Democratic Alliance is concerned that there is currently no minimum ratio of South African Police Service (SAPS) members to citizens in Gauteng.

Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, indicated in a written response to DA questions in the Gauteng Legislature that due to a lack of a prescribed minimum ratio, the department works on a system of Annual Theoretical Human Resource Requirements.

This system takes into consideration, station demographics, crime stats over a four-year period – norms per type of crime category and the workload of support services.

With the above in mind, the unofficial ratio often used in Gauteng is 1:646.

However, in the case of Gauteng’s most crime ridden and densely populated areas, this ratio is more than double.

The three stations with the highest ratios of members of SAPS to SAPS citizens in Gauteng are:

  • Mamelodi East:     1:1323;
  • Rietgat:                   1:1308; and
  • Tsakane:                 1:1242

These horrendous figures explain why Gauteng has overtaken Kwa-Zulu Natal as the crime capital of South Africa and that citizens of this province have little to no trust in SAPS members.

The Gauteng Provincial Government under the ANC has turned the province into a Gangster’s Paradise.

We cannot allow the unabated cycle of crime, violence and fear, that consumes our residents to remain the status quo.

The DA will put forward a motion in the Gauteng Legislature to ensure that there is a set minimum ratio of SAPS members to citizens, and provide recommendations on how to create a pro-active and professional police force in Gauteng that fosters an environment of safety and trust with citizens

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MEC Mazibuko must speed up the process of declaring Gauteng Traffic Police an essential service

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is disappointed to learn that the process of declaring the Gauteng Traffic Police an essential service is still ongoing and there is no timeframe on when it will be concluded.

This was revealed to me by the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko while responding to my oral questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

The Gauteng Traffic Police are unable to provide 24-hour road safety services to the citizens of Gauteng because they are not declared an essential service.

According to MEC Mazibuko the process of declaring the Gauteng Traffic Police an essential service is being handled by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).

When l asked the MEC when will the consultations be concluded so that the Gauteng Traffic Police can be declared an essential service her response was, “as and when they are concluded”.

This clearly indicates that there is no actual commitment to, and timeframe for declaring the Gauteng Traffic Police an essential service.

Gauteng Traffic Police are working shifts, and there is a need for 24-hour monitoring of Gauteng freeways.

This means that there are periods were there are no law enforcement agencies on Gauteng roads to keep residents safe.

Declaring the Gauteng Traffic Police an essential service will reduce the excessive expenditure on overtime, improve working conditions and increase benefits for the traffic police. This will also have a positive impact on reducing crime and increasing road safety.

We will continue to put pressure on MEC Mazibuko to ensure that the process of declaring Gauteng Traffic Police an essential service is concluded as a matter of urgency.

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Thousands of Gauteng’s cops on the beat without firearm competency

The DA calls on the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, to ensure the 2031 SAPS members in Gauteng without firearm compliance certificates, undergo competency testing. We would also like to know from the MEC when all members of the SAPS in Gauteng will be fit to carry fire arms?

According to the MEC’s response to a DA question in the Gauteng Legislature, there are currently 2031 SAPS members patrolling Gauteng’s streets without firearm compliance certificates.

Of the 2031 members that are active without a firearm compliance certificate, 627 officers are stationed in Tshwane. Ekurhuleni has 351, and Johannesburg has 196. The worst affected stations are Evaton with 45 and Sebokeng with 49 uncertified members. This means that these members should not be deployed outside the confines of the station as the risk and liability are enormous.

Since April this year, 14 members without valid compliance certificates discharged their firearms and I will be asking further questions of the MEC to establish the circumstances in which this occurred.

These members are not only a danger to themselves, but to the public whom they are sworn to protect.

When it comes to rank, 1034 of these members hold the rank of Captain within the SAPS.

Given the high number of incidents in Gauteng involving police brutality, it is imperative that these officers are taken off the streets and confined to office duty until they have passed their compliance tests.

Having so many police members not able to competently conduct their duties leaves the residents of Gauteng in the precarious position of being badly under-resourced and under-protected.

This is an unacceptable situation that should be urgently remedied.

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No Police Station Planned for Cosmo City

High Levels of Crime

Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, has indicated in a written response to DA questions that there are no plans to build a police station for Cosmo City.

This area currently falls under the Honeydew policing precinct and is experiencing increasingly high levels of crime; particularly house and business robberies.

The Honeydew precinct remains one of the poorest performing in the province.

Less Than Adequate Service

As such, all communities which fall under its jurisdiction are receiving less than adequate service and response to incidents of crime.

The DA believes that building a police station in Cosmo City would help not only help the Honeydew Police station area but allow for better response to other areas of the cluster.

The MEC has suggested that the police station cannot be built because it is not currently in the SAPS National Strategic Plan 2014-2019; however, the DA believes that government’s response to safety must remain flexible and cognisant of ever-changing crime patterns and trends.

#SafetyNow

During a crime march in Roodepoort in March this year, I handed over a memorandum of demands, including a call for a police station for Cosmo City, to the cluster commander for the area. I will be following up on this memorandum with the SAPS.

The community of Cosmo City deserves to feel safe now, not in 2019 when the National Plan is reviewed.

 

Media Enquiries:

Kate Lorimer MPL
Gauteng Shadow MEC: Community Safety
083 642 2727

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