Criminals celebrate less – AfriForum praises SAPS for safer festive season

AfriForum lauds the SAPS for the excellent service that they rendered during the festive season. Contact crime decreased by almost 8% compared to the third quarter of the 2015/2016 financial year. Other serious crime also decreased in the same quarter by more than 6% compared to the previous financial year.  

“If future police commissioners should decide to cooperate on ground level – as was the case during the recent festive season – we will see an ongoing improvement in crime statistics. It points to leadership that understands what goes on at ground level and that can adapt its strategy accordingly. Generally, crime is abnormally high during the festive season, but it now seems that this trend can be changed. Lt Gen. Khomotso Phahlane’s strategy is working,” says Ian Cameron, AfriForum’s Head of Community Safety.

According to Lorraine Claasen of the AfriForum Research Institute (ANI), it is evident that the strategy of visibility, planned deployment and intelligence-driven operations by the SAPS bore fruit during the recent festive season.

“These successes are further enhanced by the efficient coordination of all role-players. Private security firms, security networks, as well as neighbourhood and farm watches each play an essential role regarding support to the SAPS and communities,” says Claasen. “The responsibility however rests with the South African justice system as a whole to ensure that justice is served, especially when the rights of victims are considered,” she concludes.

Cameron praises the acting National Police Commissioner for the turnabout that the SAPS has seen since he took over from Lt Gen. Riah Phiyega.