Shocking figures show SAPS must join hands with AfriForum neighbourhood watches and others against crime

Now is the time for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to work together with AfriForum neighbourhood watches and other security agencies to combat crime, says AfriForum. The shortage of 8 500 detectives in the SAPS is also clear evidence that communities’ greatest chance to prevent crime is to get involved in their local safety structures themselves.

Senzo Mchunu, the Minister of Police, revealed this shocking figure in a parliamentary reply. According to him, 527 detectives left the SAPS between 1 October 2023 and 19 July 2024. Furthermore, the SAPS has closed approximately 80 000 murder and more than 61 000 rape cases since 2018, because they could not be solved.

Bheki Cele, the former Minister of Police, also revealed earlier this year that more than 5,4 million cases have been closed as unsolved since the 2018/2019 financial year due to insufficient evidence and leads.

“It is extremely worrying that the police’s ability to investigate and solve crimes has drastically weakened. Communities have no other choice but to start playing an active role in their safety. We trust that the new Minister of Police will take the challenges in the SAPS seriously, but unfortunately the decay in the SAPS has already spread so far that it will take years to fix the service,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety.

“At this stage, the only workable solution is for the SAPS to join hands with well-organised and trained community structures – such as AfriForum neighbourhood watches and the private security industry – and work together to combat crime. Community members often have access to information that the SAPS don’t necessarily have and closer cooperation can certainly help to solve cases and catch the culprits,” concludes Broodryk.

AfriForum neighbourhood watches regularly help the SAPS during operations by providing support through well-trained manpower and technology such as drones.

Join your nearest AfriForum neighbourhood watch at www.afriforumbuurtwag.co.za.