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ActionSA remains deeply concerned that, while aggravated contact crimes have shown a slight year-on-year decrease compared to July-September 2023, South Africa remains unsafe, with rampant criminality continuing to go largely unchallenged, as crime trends upward from the previous quarter.

Between July and September this year, South Africa witnessed a horrifying 6 545 murders, with a staggering 71 lives lost every single day, or 3 every hour. Aggravated robbery continues to be a staggering issue, with 35 429 incidents recorded in just three months, with an overwhelming 385 cases per day, or 1 every four minutes.

Tragically, yesterday marked the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, yet the scale of violence, particularly against women and children, remains deeply alarming as yesterday’s crime statistics revealed that during the July to September 2024 period, 12,765 sexual offences were reported, equating to 139 victims every day, or 1 every 10 minutes. 

ActionSA believes these figures serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to protect every South African, particularly our most vulnerable, from the devastating consequences of unchecked criminality. Unfortunately, without a new concrete and actionable plan to restore the rule of law, the so-called GNU will remain fundamentally handicapped in addressing the crisis.

Importantly, the continued delay in finalising the long-awaited and promised Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP), one that includes clear, executable, and thoroughly studied plans to combat crime, will only further hinder any meaningful progress in tackling crime and ensuring the safety and security of each South African.

In line with our commitment to being a constructive opposition, ActionSA has updated our freely accessible GNU Performance Tracker Platform to reflect the latest crime statistics. We further urge the government to urgently develop a realistic plan to combat crime and underpin the long-overdue Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP), which must include a clear and necessary target of halving aggravated contact crimes by 2029, anchored by a zero-tolerance approach as the overarching mandate.

Issued by ActionSA Member of Parliament Dereleen James