DURBAN, Sept 29 (ANA) – While concerned by the increases in contact crimes such as murder, the African National Congress on Tuesday welcomed the fall in other types of crime.
“The statistics presented today illustrate that while we continue to make significant progress in our crime fighting efforts, crime remains a serious challenge that requires joint efforts by all stakeholders to tackle and eradicate,” said Moloto Mothapo, spokesman for ANC chief whip Stone Sizani.
The statement by the Mothapo followed the release of the crime statistics to parliament earlier on Tuesday which revealed that contact crimes such as murder had increased, but that property-related crimes and other serious crimes had dropped.
“However despite all these significant and commendable achievements, we remain concerned by a slight increase in contact crimes and contact related crimes such as murder, attempted murder and arson which have marginally risen by 0.9 percent.”
The country’s murder rate jumped 4.6 percent with 17,805 people killed in the 2014/15 year.
“These stubborn forms of crime require concerted multipronged interventions, which must include joint efforts by all stakeholders, to radically turn the situation around.”
He lamented the number of weapons that were present and were in the hands of criminals.
“Violent attacks against our people, including killings of police officers, must be fought fiercely and aggressively as part of our endeavors to build safer communities. Perpetrators of such monstrous crimes must be squeezed completely out of our society,” he said.
He also welcomed the fact that the statistics were presented with the assistance of Statistics South Africa, saying that it bodes well for a culture of accountability.
– African News Agency (ANA)
