The DA’s shadow minister for police, Zakhele Mbhele,
conducted an oversight visit to Delft Police Station following the release of
the crime statistics two weeks ago.
Across the 30 worst precincts, crime levels in Delft saw the
biggest jump in reported crimes with an increase of 19%, and a figure of 6380
(“Delft crime among the worst”, 9/2018).
The station has been listed fifth among the top 30 stations
for murder in the country.
According to Mbhele, the station commander, Brigadier
Phindiwe Ntungele, admitted that the understaffed and under-resourced police
station is struggling to effectively fight crime in the community.
“The national police to resident ratio stands at 1:383.
However, Delft has 1 police officer per 642 residents, despite the community
being besieged by gang-related violent crimes.
“The failing ANC government is solely to blame for the
policing challenges in Delft. Whilst the ANC continues to deliberately use
police resources in the Western Cape as a political tool, the City of Cape Town
and the Western Cape Provincial Government have gone above and beyond to keep
local communities safe – regardless of their limited mandate,” said Mbhele
after the visit. He said that police need proper equipment, training and
adequate staff to protect the community. “Our communities have become war-zones
and we need a professional police service which serves and protects all South
Africans, not just the elites.
“Right now, however, while our most vulnerable communities
suffer daily, it is necessary for the army to be deployed to these communities
so that our people can feel safe in their homes and on the streets.”
Crime stats roundup:
– Murder saw a 6.6% increase with 12 more reported
incidents. The figure increased from 183 in 2016/2017 to 195 cases in
2017/2018.
– Out of 30 police stations, Delft maintained fifth place
for attempted murder with figures having increased by 7.9% from 178 in
2016/2017 to 192 in 2017/2018.
– Rape has gone up by 24.1%, from 158 in 2016/2017 to 196 in
2017/2018.
– Common assault saw a staggering increase of 41% from last
year’s figure of 603 cases compared to this year’s 850.
– There has been a 6.7% increase in carjackings in the area,
ranking Delft in sixth place out of the top 30 stations. Last year the figure
stood at 164, but this has since increased to 175.
– There has however been a 13.3% decrease in the number of
illegal firearms and ammunition, with the figure having dropped from 195 to
169.
– Sexual offences increased from 219 cases to 236;
– Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm
increased from 578 to 666;
– Common robbery increased from 114 to 173.
