Action Society welcomed the Police Minister, Mr Senzo Mchunu’s invitation for stronger partnerships between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and communities in the ongoing war against crime. According to Action Society Public Private Partnerships (PPP’s) are the only way to counteract the growing levels of crime in South Africa. According to Action Society, PPP’s between SAPS and communities should include partnerships to increase investigative and forensic capacity and even special courts to provide swift justice to victims of crime.
“Action Society wants to see more resources allocated to pro-active projects against violence against women and children in all the areas that will increase conviction rates in these crimes. This includes a big investment into the investigative capacity of the South African Police Service (SAPS), forensic laboratory capacity as well as a higher number of courts and the overall prosecuting capacity. Partnering with the private sector to do so, is the only way to implement what is needed urgently” says Action Society spokesperson, Juanita du Preez.
While the crime statistics for the third quarter of the current financial year (1 October 2024 – 31 December 2024) was announced earlier today, Action Society requested that the crime statistics be extended to include crime conviction rates to paint a clearer picture of the functioning of the justice system as a whole.
Murders reached a total number of 6 953 which means 77 people are killed per day and attempted murder cases reached a figure of 7 666, which amounts to 85 per day. For this period, 54 337 people were assaulted with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (Assault GBH), which amounts to 604 per day.
For this period, 11 803 rapes were recorded, with 131 women being raped per day (more than five per hour). During the same period, a total of 961 women were murdered – 11 per day. Assault GBH against women stood on 16 023 – 45 per day.
Violence against children remains a serious concern. For the same period 273 children were killed – 3 per day and 480 were victims of attempted murder – 5 per day. At least 2 164 children were seriously assaulted – 24 per day.
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