Crime stats delay erodes public trust

THE SAPS’ prolonged delays in releasing the country’s quarterly crime statistics hinders advocacy efforts, community safety planning, and prevention strategies, say civil organisation movements. 

Initially expected to be released in August, then September, the postponement of the first quarter crime statistics has drawn sharp criticism.

Asked when the statistics would be released, Kamogelo Mogotsi, acting police minister Firoz Cachalia’s spokesperson, said: “The statistics will be released in November, for both quarters. The SAPS can better advise on the delay.”

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, recently warned that the delay is not merely a technical issue but one that “undermines public confidence, data integrity and trust in the police”.

Both ActionSA and the DA have expressed serious concern over the police’s failure to deliver the statistics on time, calling for transparency and accountability.

The party's MP Dereleen James said: “At a time when violent crime continues to terrorise communities across South Africa, this lack of transparency and accountability is unacceptable. Crime statistics are not merely data points, they are essential tools for policy decisions, public oversight, and rebuilding the trust of a nation living in fear. ActionSA calls for the immediate release of the outstanding quarterly crime statistics, accompanied by a full and public explanation for the delay.”

DA spokesperson on Police, Lisa Schickerling, said that when she questioned the National Commissioner Fannie Masemola about the crime statistics, he admitted that it had a lot to do with the fact that there's chaos within the management of the police at the moment. SAPS was contacted for comment, but has yet to respond.

“But, if you hear what the response is from the acting minister, there's a disjoint between what they're telling us. Somehow, the information is not coming through correctly. November is a really long month.

“You can just look at any newspaper on any given day and you can see that the killings are actually escalating… There's definitely a disjoint between what is being reported on and what is happening on the ground, and I think that is part of the delay in the crime statistics in our country.”

Schickerling added that with the festive season on the horizon, the police need those crime statistics to be ready and to have a fair idea of where the crime is taking place.

“The police at this stage are not transparent with South Africans, and I don't think that they're keeping themselves accountable, and the longer they take, the more South Africans lose faith and trust in the SAPS. They're actually doing themselves an injustice.

“I'm getting more and more concerned about the fact that the crime statistics are being delayed, because what are we covering up? That is my concern.”

Spokesperson for anti-gender-based violence group Ilitha Labantu, Siyabulela Monakali, said the publication of crime data is not a technical exercise, but a vital mechanism of public accountability and democratic transparency.

“These figures form the foundation on which communities, policymakers, and civil society organisations assess the state’s capacity to prevent and respond to violence.

“As the nation approaches the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, the lack of current statistics undermines collective planning and coordination at a time when evidence-based interventions are most needed.

“While those working within the sector are acutely aware of the realities faced by women and children on the ground, the broader public and policymakers rely on this data to fully grasp the extent of the crisis.”

Cape Times