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The DA notes the Northern Cape’s lowest share of crimes committed by serving police officers compared to other provinces.

According to the 2013/2014 annual report released by the police watch-dog unit Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the province accounted for only 262 cases of the 5 745 reported nationally.

While the NC’s police crimes rank the lowest, the statistics still concern the DA as we believe  one offence by a police officer is one too many.

It is deeply concerning that police officers who are responsible for protecting our citizens are the same ones who are the perpetrators.

Though we are not painting all serving officers with the same brush we cannot condone any form of crime especially from those who are charged to uphold the law.

The Northern Cape has the second highest cases of sexual offences as per the latest crime statistics in the country.

Five cases of rape by officers and one case of rape on someone in police custody, in this financial year alone, counter efforts to address this scourge. 

Sexual violence is intolerable and a concerted effort is needed to address serious challenges faced by this province, which continues to see the most vulnerable of society, namely women and children suffering the most.

Despicable acts committed by police not only tarnish the already damaged image of police in the province but heighten perceptions the public have of  SAPS,  such as a lack of confidence in the authorities and their lack of care for victims.

Issued by DA