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The South African Police Services (SAPS) crime stats released for the period between July and September 2024 amplify the Democratic Alliance’s call for decentralised policing.

The crime statistics released by Minister Senzo Mchunu today indicate that there has been a sharp increase in contact crimes (crimes against the person) in the Free State, which is particularly concerning given the upcoming holiday season, a period marked by an increase in criminal activity.

A further concern is the 32.7% increase in sexual assaults compared to the same period last year. The province and the general South African population face a deeply entrenched crisis of gender-based violence (GBV) and crimes against women and children. The DA has called for more to be done to protect these individuals in our society and has proposed urgent legislative action against this threat.

While murder is down by 18.6%, attempted murder has increased by 14.9%, and there has been a 6% increase in residential robberies. Although the province has seen improvement in crimes detected as a result of police action, these statistics highlight the need for provincial legislation for policing.

The DA has tabled a Private Members Bill in the Free State Legislature that will provide the province with powers to oversee the effectiveness and efficiency of the police service, including receiving reports on the police service, promoting good relations between the police and the community, and assess the effectiveness of visible policing among other things.

The number of South Africans experiencing crime remains unacceptably high, and the job is not done until every resident in the province feels safe in their homes and their communities.

Issued by Roy Jankielsohn - DA Spokesperson for Community Safety in the Free State Legislature