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The increase in the number of murders and sexual offenses means that violent crime is still frighteningly high in our province.  The Eastern Cape, with a murder ratio of 52.1 per 100 000 is the murder capital of South Africa.

Out of the total of 20 categories, 11 have gone up while numbers in nine categories have been reduced.

The number of reported sexual offences has increased from 9 567 to 9 897, and when looking at the crime ratio, we are the second highest in the country.

Robbery with aggravating circumstances, carjacking and robbery from businesses are also up along with drug-related offences.

We welcome the fact that stock theft has decreased by.  The high level, however, impacts on job losses as far as commercial farmers are concerned and threatens the livelihoods of communal farmers.

Drug related offences have increased by 16.4% and this is directly related to gangsterism in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth, which is still rampant.  The DA believes that the SAPS specialised drug unit, the South African Narcotics Bureau (SANAB), need to the re-established to combat this.

The rate of crime in the province would be vastly improved if SAPS in the Eastern Cape was better resourced.

High visibility policing is recognised to cut the crime rate by 40%.

The crisis with the lack of functional vehicles at police stations in this province is a direct cause of our high rate of crime in the Eastern Cape.

The DA reiterates its view that we need high visibility policing, rapid response units and a well-trained detective service if we are going to reduce crime and nail and jail the criminals.

Issued by the DA