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The DA will today write to the Minister of Police, Nathi Nhleko, requesting he immediately table the 2013/2014 crime statistics, released last Friday, before Parliament so that the Portfolio Committee on Police can assess the validity of the crime stats and whether or not they have indeed been audited by the office of the Auditor-General (AG).
 

 
This follows my engagements with the AG’s office yesterday who informed me that they have not yet audited these latest crime stats as Minister Nhleko and National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega, claimed last Friday.
 

 
The Minister, in consort with the Police Commissioner, stated that the figures “have been audited by the Auditor-General”.
 

 
If the Auditor-General’s claims that these stats have not been audited prove to be true I will move to have the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Francois Beukman, summon both the Police Minister and Police Commissioner before the committee to explain why it is they lied to the South African people about the integrity of these latest crime statistics.
 

 
It is vitally important that the stats are audited independently. And if it is indeed true that the crime stats have not been audited, an urgent audit is necessary to ensure their validity.
 

 
In the past incorrect census figures were used and did produce accurate statistics. Moreover, certain police stations have pumped up their figures in the past to ensure awards and bonuses. SAPS management also manipulated the statistics last year to present a rosier picture. We need an audit to make sure this did not happen again.
 

 
The DA has long held that the collating and reporting methodology behind the nation’s crime statistics has been inconsistent and at times incorrect.
 

 
The latest claims that the Police Department may have lied about the audit of the stats coupled with a history of confusion and uncertainty regarding the crime stats makes it clear that the statistics must be tabled before Parliament and for the Portfolio Committee on Police to investigate their authenticity.
 

 
We must fight crime with every means at our disposal. However, this requires us to have accurate and up-to-date statistics to ensure that we are able to track our progress and direct our attention to where it is most needed and equip our South African Police Service (SAPS) with the necessary information to effectively fight crime and protect the South African people.

Issued by the DA