CRIME is rife in Mzansi and the increasing crime rate in Cape Town and Tshwane is a cause for concern for residents and authorities.
Recent reports indicate a rise in robberies, assaults and theft, which pose a challenge to law enforcement agencies and threaten public safety.
African Global Diaspora economist, Luke Zunga, said the main challenge triggering the high crime rate in Mzansi is as a result of too many guns in the hands of civilians.
"I would tell him (Police Minister Bheki Cele) to focus on removing guns from the community through raids and searches. The problem in South Africa is social," said Zunga.
He also cited unemployment and poverty as contributing factors to the high crime in the country.
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Ekurhuleni Thatha Zonke Response Unity spokesman, Simphiwe Khumalo, said government should work hand in hand with security companies to fight crime.
"The partnership would see the police training the groups on aspects of criminal procedures and acts that are involved in policing and security. This will assist in making sure such good initiatives are not turned into vigilante groups," said Simphiwe.
He added:
Tshwane has become an example of the failure to curb violent crime rates, with a significant increase in armed robberies, hijackings and kidnappings.
Despite high-profile efforts such as those announced by Police Minister Bheki Cele, which included equipping the police force with additional resources and a fleet of cars, the measures have so far fallen short of fighting crime.
The city's police stations, especially those in areas such as Temba, Akasia, Pretoria Central, Brooklyn, Mabopane, and Soshanguve, find themselves among the top 30 challenged by crime, according to the latest crime stats.
The period from October to December of the 2023/2024 financial year has seen an unsettling rise in violent crimes, with kidnappings becoming a particular concern.
Despite over 300 arrests related to these crimes in the past two years, their persistent occurrence, alongside an overall increase in violent incidents, calls for a more comprehensive approach to crime prevention.
Western Cape is suffering from a disturbing rise in crime rates that has left its residents grappling with fear and uncertainty. The province has witnessed an unsettling spike in various forms of crime, casting a shadow over the party's ability to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
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The first quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year brought with it a mixed bag of crime statistics that offer a glimpse into the complexity of criminal activity in the region.
While Western Cape police commissioner Major-General Tembekile Phathekile and officials like Premier Alan Winde and Police Oversight MEC Reagan Allen paint a picture of gradual improvements in some areas, the stark reality of increased shoplifting by 15,3%, kidnapping by 3% and a 4,6% rise in robbery with aggravating circumstances paints a different picture.
Gang violence has been a thorn in the side of the Western Cape government and police force. Despite efforts to curb this menace, the province recorded gang-related incidents that resulted in the tragic loss of lives, including that of innocent bystanders.
The Western Cape administration is being questioned as it faces criticism for its handling of the crime situation. The measures taken, including the deployment of additional police resources and the use of technology like shot spotter acoustic devices and CCTV cameras, seem insufficient in addressing the root causes of crime and violence in the province.
The rise in murders in the second quarter of the 2023/24 financial year by 10,9%, alongside an 18,6% increase in high-crime areas signals a dire need for a re-evaluation of strategies and a more cohesive approach to crime prevention.
