AfriForum Questions Validity of Recent Crime Statistics Amid Declines in Murder and Stock Theft

In a recent proclamation by the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, substantial reductions in crucial crime categories were highlighted – with murder rates purportedly down by 9.8% and stock theft by 4.5% for the third quarter of the financial year spanning October to December 2024. However, this announcement has been met with skepticism from AfriForum, a leading advocate for community safety in South Africa.

AfriForum's Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety, Jacques Broodryk, commended the Minister's approach towards enhancing collaboration between communities and law enforcement. Nonetheless, he expressed significant doubts regarding the veracity of these latest figures. This skepticism is informed by the consistent crime encounters reported by AfriForum’s Neighbourhood and Farm Watches. These groups, deeply integrated at the community level, have not perceived any notable abatement in crime incidents, particularly burglaries and stock theft.

This doubt is further deepened by previous findings from the Auditor-General, which pointed out grave errors in the South African Police Service's (SAPS) crime data recording practices last year. Identified issues include poor record-keeping, mismanagement of dockets, and inefficacies in using crime statistics as a tool for strategic crime prevention. These challenges pose significant hindrances to SAPS’ operational effectiveness in crime combat at the community level.

Moreover, Broodryk reiterated AfriForum’s ongoing push for a devolution of policing powers to more localized units. According to him, this approach would enable tailored responses to specific regional crime challenges, such as farm attacks, gang violence, and taxi-related murders. Specialized rural policing units and regional crime specialists could then leverage local insights for more effective interventions.

In light of continuous crime challenges, AfriForum urges community involvement in local safety initiatives like the Neighbourhood or Farm Watch. By fostering robust communal safety networks, AfriForum aims to fortify community resilience against crime across South African locates.