/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape is sickened by the fact that, as we celebrate Women’s Month across the country, women and children remain unsafe in their communities.

Crime statistics for the first quarter of the year, released today, show that the Northern Cape had an 11% spike in murders, a massive 102% surge in attempted murders, and a 105% increase in kidnapping. At 87.5%, the Northern Cape also recorded the highest increase in robberies at residential premises.

Continued under resourcing of SAPS in the province contributes significantly to the lack of safety that women and children experience. There are simply too few officers, expected to cover great distances using broken-down vehicles, and working in dilapidated buildings to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book. Just last month, the DA in Phokwane exposed the fact that the Jan Kempdorp SAPS only has a sedan with broken brakes available for patrols. The other seventeen vehicles were awaiting repairs, fourteen of which had been out of order for more than three months.

In stark comparison, the DA-led Western Cape with its dedicated LEAP officers program working in collaboration with SAPS has made great strides in fighting crime. Nyanga, which was previously regarded as the murder capital of South Africa, has now dropped out of the top ten stations for murder.

This evidence of what can be done with the right political will should motivate residents to register to vote for the DA so that we can bring this kind of change to the Northern Cape.

Issued by Ofentse Mokae, MPL - DA Northern Cape Spokesperson of Transport, Safety & Liaison