AfriForum calls on SAPS to get its house in order regarding crime statistics

AfriForum has expressed serious concern following the Auditor General of South Africa’s findings that the South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics are unreliable. In a country plagued by high crime rates, such inaccuracies have far-reaching consequences for law enforcement, public safety, and the justice system.

Some of the consequences of unreliable crime data according to the auditor general’s report, are the following: 

• Inaccurate and incomplete capturing of charges and victim details distorts the crime statistics

reported, making it difficult to develop effective crime prevention strategies and allocate

resources appropriately.

• Poor record keeping and maintenance of case dockets undermine court processes and

deny victims of crime from getting justice.

• No return of investment on the Integrated Case Docket Management System (ICDMS)

procured as there is limited utilisation of the system.

According to AfriForum,  this also explains discrepancies in reporting. The unreliable crime statistics likely account for the annual discrepancies between SAPS-reported farm attack numbers and those compiled by private organisations like AfriForum

AfriForum also receives regular complaints from the public about the difficulties they face when trying to open cases at police stations. Complainants often report disinterest from officers, or are told to open their case at a different police station. This behaviour further weakens public confidence in SAPS and undermines crime reporting.

“In light of this, AfriForum urges SAPS to address not only the unreliability of their crime statistics but also their service delivery at police stations. With a serious crime problem affecting the country, SAPS must work harder to gain the public’s trust, starting with accurate statistics and professional conduct” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokseperson for Community Safety.

“The question should also be asked, whether this problem is simply the cause of incompetence or a deliberate attempt by certain SAPS members to tamper with the crime statistics” Broodryk concludes