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The Democratic Alliance is concerned that there is currently no minimum ratio of South African Police Service (SAPS) members to citizens in Gauteng.

Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, indicated in a written response to DA questions in the Gauteng Legislature that due to a lack of a prescribed minimum ratio, the department works on a system of Annual Theoretical Human Resource Requirements.

This system takes into consideration, station demographics, crime stats over a four-year period – norms per type of crime category and the workload of support services.

With the above in mind, the unofficial ratio often used in Gauteng is 1:646.

However, in the case of Gauteng’s most crime ridden and densely populated areas, this ratio is more than double.

The three stations with the highest ratios of members of SAPS to SAPS citizens in Gauteng are:

• Mamelodi East:     1:1323;
• Rietgat:                   1:1308; and
• Tsakane:                 1:1242

These horrendous figures explain why Gauteng has overtaken Kwa-Zulu Natal as the crime capital of South Africa and that citizens of this province have little to no trust in SAPS members.
 
The Gauteng Provincial Government under the ANC has turned the province into a Gangster’s Paradise.
 
We cannot allow the unabated cycle of crime, violence and fear, that consumes our residents to remain the status quo.
 
The DA will put forward a motion in the Gauteng Legislature to ensure that there is a set minimum ratio of SAPS members to citizens, and provide recommendations on how to create a pro-active and professional police force in Gauteng that fosters an environment of safety and trust with citizens.

Issued by DA