Crime remains high in Northern Cape despite decline in stats

Crime Prevention Organisation in Kimberley, in the Northern Cape say even though contact crime cases have declined in the province and in the country, a lot still needs to be done to ensure communities are safe.

Operation Fiela maintains the cases reported are not a true reflection of what is happening on the ground.

On Friday Police Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia released crime statistics that showed about 7 000 fewer cases of violent crimes were reported compared to the same quarter last year.

According to the fourth quarter crime statistics, murder has decreased nationally by 9.5%.

Chairperson of Operation Fiela, Thabiso Louw says, “What you see there and what is happening in reality are two different things. Crime is still high in our province, even murder cases are still high. We are on the ground and witnessing these things. Most of the cases are unresolved. Only few cases are solved in Northern Cape. There are people that died 4/5 years ago, families are still wondering where the investigating officers are to give them updates on their cases.”

A criminologist from University of South Africa, Thabang Bogopa believes detailed studies are required to help better understand the factors behind the declines in crime.

Bogopa says, “For instance, if someone is stabbed and dies later in hospital, you will find that the case is not registered as a murder. It is either assault to cause grievously bodily harm or attempted murder. Often, the crime as depicted on the cover of the docket, is not always reflected on the system case. So, there are people who are clever around the crime administration system, which is where the crime statistic is derived from. So, you find that the crime in court is being trialed as murder but on case system is reflecting as assault gender-based violence (GBV).”