The Democratic Alliance’s Shadow MEC for Community Safety in the Eastern Cape, Yusuf Cassim says the province is in crisis.
He was reacting to the quarterly crime statistics for the period between April until June this year, released by the Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, in Cape Town on Friday, which showed that nearly 6,200 people were murdered during that time.
The Minister also opened his address by warning extortionists, especially in the Eastern Cape that the police were doing all they could to ensure that they are arrested and brought to book.
The crime statistics also depicted a bloody picture, especially in the Eastern Cape, as alarming trends in violent crime continue unabated.
Cassim said in a statement on Friday, the party will write to the chairperson of the Community Safety Portfolio, Tumeka Gaya, to request that she summon the provincial commissioner of the police, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, to account for the quarterly crime statistics.
This is after it was announced during the crime stats presentation that eight types of crimes have increased in the province. The Eastern Cape also recorded the most rapes in the province while KwaZakhele and New Brighton were among the police stations with the highest number of crimes reported.
“The latest statistics show that urgent intervention is needed now, more than ever, as our province is a war zone. There is a war taking place in our streets, and our law-abiding citizens are the casualties.
In just six months, the Eastern Cape has experienced the tragic loss of 2,328 lives due to violent crime. This surge in violence has left countless families shattered and communities living in fear.
The crisis extends beyond murder, with sexual offences. in the province also at disturbing levels,” Cassim added.
Meanwhile, several parties and organisations also weighed in.
The FF Plus said while the slight drop in crime, according to the police’s latest statistics, is welcomed, the increase in crime against women and children and farm murders remains a serious problem.
 “During the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, all three categories of crime against women and children increased compared to the corresponding period last year.
 “Femicide rose from 895 murders to 966 (71 more), attempted femicide rose from 1 417 to 1 644 (227 more) and aggravated assault from 12 872 to 13 757 (885 more),” said MP Heloïse Denner
 She said with respect to crimes against children, murder rose from 293 to 314 (21 more), attempted murder from 354 to 424 (70 more) and aggravated assault from 1 432 to 1 596 (164 more).
 Denner said the FF Plus finds these figures extremely alarming given the numerous awareness campaigns launched by role players, from government to civil society, to protect women and children.
“The release of the Quarterly Crime Statistics point to the lived reality of communities in all settings across the country, whether in rural or urban areas. And tragically put, South Africans, in particular women, are not safe in both their homes and public spaces,” said Rise Mzansi.
“The new Police Minister is making the right noises; therefore, he will have the party’s support in making South Africa a safe country for communities, businesses, and visitors. Minister Mchunu’s areas of priority are a departure from the disastrous tenure of erstwhile Police Minister Bheki Cele.
“Accordingly, the next series of Quarterly Crime Stats will reveal whether the Minister’s words and political direction have the support of the SAPS National Command and translate into a safer South Africa.”
AfriForum meanwhile, disagreed that Minister Mchunu was moving in the right direction.
Instead, they called for an allegiance to civil society structures to help combat crime.
“The fact that contact crimes increased by 3 831 cases from 149 806 at the same time last year highlights the importance of SAPS joining forces with civil safety structures, such as AfriForum’s 177 neighbourhood watches.”
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