Government welcomes Quarter One Crime Statistics

19 August 2022

Government welcomes Quarter One Crime Statistics

Government welcomes the 2022/2023 quarter one crime statistics released earlier today that show a decrease in the total number of Sexual Offences such as rape, sexual assault, attempted sexual offences and contact sexual offences. However, government acknowledges that a lot still needs to be done to intensify efforts to fight crime even further in the country, especially because the number of murders remain high. 

“The slight decrease in the rate of crime in our country is welcomed as it demonstrates the outcomes of the work put in by law enforcement officials , various stakeholders and communities. At the same time, these results are hard to celebrate because the scourge of crime remains a huge concern. As government, we will continue to ensure that justice is served and perpetrators are brought to book.

Even more concerning is the rate of violence against women and children; the senseless and gruesome killing of women and children cannot be tolerated. We welcome and acknowledge the work of law enforcement agencies and we urge the police to continue to deal decisively with reported incidents of gender-based violence and femicide,” the Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele said.

Government continues to drive the implementation of the pillars of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). The NSP is a government and civil society’s multi-sectoral strategic framework to realise a South Africa free from GBVF; it recognises all violence against women and children. GBVF is an ill that has left no sector of society unharmed. Government, therefore, calls upon all South Africans to support the NSP, both materially and morally, and to be active forces for change in their homes and communities. 

Government continues to fight the high levels of crime through the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) which requires a shift in emphasis from reactive ‘crime control’ towards proactive ‘crime prevention’ aimed at preventing crime from occurring at all. In line with the National Development Plan, government continues to implement plans to, among other things, strengthen the criminal justice system, create a professional police service and use an integrated approach to safety. 

Enquiries: 
Phumla Williams – GCIS Director General on 0835010139