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The Western Cape recorded the highest number of withdrawn drug-related criminal cases in the country, with 23,125 cases withdrawn over a three-year period. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned by this figure revealed in a parliamentary reply from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

These figures are unacceptable and raise serious concerns about the ability of our criminal justice system to deliver justice for victims and hold offenders accountable. Every withdrawn case represents a potential failure to ensure that criminals face the consequences of their actions.

The DA has consistently called for the expansion of provincial authority over policing functions to strengthen investigations and build airtight cases that can deliver prosecutions. We know that detectives in the Western Cape are under immense pressure, with almost 290,000 active cases on their books. They are simply overburdened and do not have the resources needed to investigate every case thoroughly.

This is why we need a whole-of-society approach to fighting crime. Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, government, communities, neighbourhood watches, and civil society must work together to ensure that criminals are not only arrested but successfully prosecuted.

Benedicta van Minnen, MPP, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety said: “Arrests without convictions send the wrong message. They create the perception that there are no real consequences for criminal behaviour, undermining public confidence in the justice system and emboldening offenders.”

The people of the Western Cape have the right to live in safe communities where the rule of law is upheld and victims can have confidence that justice will be served. The DA will continue to fight for the resources, powers, and reforms needed to build a criminal justice system that protects law-abiding citizens and ensures criminals are held accountable.

Issued by: Benedicta van Minnen MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety