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The Democratic Alliance (DA) will insist that all stakeholders involved in the Northern Cape Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy appear before the legislature to report on measures undertaken to address rising incidents of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). 

Crime statistics released today, for the period between April to September this year, revealed that for the last six months domestic violence related crimes amounted to 19 murders, 84 attempted murders, 52 rapes, 14 sexual assaults, 179 assaults GBH and 604 common assaults. 

The province further reflected an increase of 147 cases in contact crime and murder between July to September. This means that one resident experienced violence every day during this period. It is particularly concerning that three stations in Frances Baard, including Kimberley, Roodepan and Galeshewe, in addition to the Mothibistad station, again appeared on the national top 30 list for increases in various crime categories including murder, assault GBH, common assault and sexual offences. 

We are concerned that the Northern Cape continues to account for the third highest ratio of rape cases in the country. With recent statistics revealing that close to three victims were raped every day between April and September, the regression is a clear sign that urgent intervention and improved safety measures are needed to safeguard vulnerable residents. 

While the DA is still waiting for the Portfolio Committee of Transport, Safety and Liaison to summons SAPS to advise on how the high crime stations will be supported in the fight against escalating crimes, we will call on SAPS to report on the efficiency and impact of its GBV desks across the province. We also want to know how many dockets are undetected. 

The DA will continue to fight relentlessly for justice for all GBV survivors, not just during the 16 Days of Activism campaign but for 365 days of the year. Through oversight facilities, we will work hard to ensure that budgets allocated to safety improvements are utilised for safeguarding victims and restoring dignity in communities, and nothing else.

Issued by Reinette Liebenberg, MPL - DA Northern Cape Spokesperson for Transport, Safety and Liaison