Civil society organisations have expressed deep concern over the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) prolonged delays in releasing the country’s quarterly crime statistics. Originally expected in August, the data is now set for release in November, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and effective planning for community safety.
Abie Isaacs, chairperson of the Cape Flats Safety Forum, highlighted another related concern: the unreleased Police Ombudsman report on gang infiltration in the Western Cape.
Isaacs said, “I think we’ve consistently and persistently been asking what’s been happening to that report. Judge Daniel Thulare made a certain ruling or recommendation. The Premier appointed the ombudsman, and up until today, we don’t know what’s happening, whether it’s true, whether it’s false, what’s the way forward, or if there’s a way forward. Those are some of the frustrating concerns that we’ve consistently been raising over these couple of years as the Cape Flats Safety Forum.”
Isaacs also emphasised the importance of crime statistics in understanding and addressing local trends. “As the Cape Flats Safety Forum, we are definitely concerned. We are not statisticians, but it would give us an overview of what’s happening. Has there been an increase or decrease in specific crimes, particularly in gang-related areas?”
He noted that gang violence has been a recurring issue at both national and parliamentary levels. “The issue around gang violence was raised at the Oval Office in August earlier this year. It’s also been raised in parliamentary committees, specifically concerning the Cape Flats. For us, it becomes a concern. MPs are now asking why the delay in releasing crime statistics persists, and the public deserves clarity.”
Civil organisations argue that the absence of timely data undermines public trust in the police and hampers evidence-based interventions for crime prevention. Isaacs concluded, “These figures are not merely numbers; they are essential tools for planning, oversight, and ensuring communities can respond effectively to the persistent challenges posed by crime, particularly gang-related violence.”
Listen to the full interview below:
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