Durban — The IFP said the issue of firearm licensing and purchasing needs to be addressed urgently amid the latest statistics released by Police Minister Bheki Cele on Friday.
The IFP’s Zandile Majozi said the party was deeply concerned by the reported increase in murders.
In March, Cele revealed that approximately 7 331 firearms and more than 10 million rounds of ammunition were stolen from the SAPS or lost over 10 years; only 5 170 firearms were recovered.
“6 424 people were murdered during the first quarter of this year, which is an increase of 664 people. The minister stated that the leading causes of murder are arguments and misunderstandings and that the leading weapon of choice is a firearm, with 2 766 people shot to death,” said Majozi.
She also said that the latest crime statistics clearly indicate that the SAPS is reactive, rather than proactive. She said the SAPS appears to be stuck in a pattern of continually reporting on crime statistics, yet there remains a glaring absence of reporting on action plans to address and eradicate these crimes.
She added that they believe not much has been done to protect women and children ‒ from April to June 2022, 855 women and 243 children were killed in South Africa. Nineteen of those children were murdered in either primary or lack of security at schools, and urgent measures must be taken to ensure the safety of our pupils.
“In relation to the alleged drop in reported rape cases, we view this statistic with caution. It is encouraging to see that there was a decrease in the reported rape cases. However, we are cognisant of the fact that overall, South Africa is still a dangerous country for women and the reported rape statistics are still incredibly high.
“What is especially alarming is that 1 564 of these reported rape cases happened in public spaces. Could this have been prevented? What safety measures are available in public spaces, and how can they be extended?” she said.
Moreover, she said the country needs less reporting and more practical programmes of action that deliver results, particularly when it comes to the security and safety of South African citizens.
Daily News