by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG – SOUTH Africa is facing a worsening crime crisis, with new data showing dramatic increases in violent offences, according to the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Releasing its response to Statistics South Africa’s “Victims of Crime” survey on Tuesday, DA spokesperson on police Lisa Schickerling said the findings expose the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) ongoing failure to protect citizens.
The survey reveals that sexual offences have nearly tripled in just four years, rising from 25,000 cases in 2020/21 to 73,000 cases in 2024/25. Meanwhile, almost one million households reported housebreaking incidents in the past year, and more than 846,000 individuals were victims of personal theft.
“These figures show that communities are living under siege. Only 36% of South Africans feel safe walking alone at night, and far too many cases go unreported because of deep mistrust in SAPS,” Schickerling said.
She warned that the recent shootings on the Cape Flats underscore the urgent need for crime intelligence reform. “SAPS remains reactive rather than proactive, leaving communities exposed to repeat victimisation,” she added.
The DA argued that official police statistics paint an incomplete picture by excluding crimes targeting women and children, thereby ignoring the scale of gender-based violence.
To address the crisis, the party called for bold reforms, including devolving policing powers to provinces and municipalities, professionalising SAPS through merit-based appointments, investing in technology-driven crime prevention, and strengthening community policing forums.
“South Africans deserve safety, dignity, and freedom from constant fear,” Schickerling said. “Only professional, community-focused policing can rebuild trust and restore order.”
– CAJ News
