ANTI crime experts have called for more resources and improved crime intelligence in KwaZulu-Natal, following the release of the latest quarterly crime statistics.
Durban townships Inanda and uMlazi topped the rankings with the highest number of of rape and murder cases countrywide. Moreover, Verulam, Ntuzuma, Inanda, and uMlazi were named as the top four places for attempted murder in South Africa.
Academic and violence monitor Mary de Haas said police in the province were not doing enough to combat crime.
“It starts with crime intelligence, proactive policing, using information about where the criminals are and doing something about the guns. That means there will be proper regulation of the security companies,” she said.
De Haas said without reliable crime intelligence the police would not be able to identify criminals and what they were planning to do. She called for each police station to have a “trustworthy” intelligence officer who would be protected, improved management of police stations as well as a project to establish where the guns used in crimes were coming from.
However, anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee said that KZN police were doing their best and had outperformed their counterparts in other provinces.
Abramjee said the police’s no-nonsense approach had been welcomed by many, as approximately 120 suspects were shot dead during a gun battles with the cops.
He said while some were critical of their approach, criminals were running amok and police had to defend themselves.
“I think a little credit goes to the provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi,” he said.
Abramjee said a quick-fix solution was needed and urged communities to speak up and take a stand against crime.
Doctor Sazelo Mkhize, a senior lecturer in the Discipline of Criminology and Forensic Studies, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), said that making townships safe was not easy.
He said enforcing patrols would be important and could be done by security companies working with the police like it is done in the suburbs.
“Installation of CCTV throughout the townships, this deters criminals from easily committing crimes,” explained Mkhize.
Furthermore, he said the police were doing their best but it was not enough. He said more police officers were needed to be appointed to be able to patrol.
“Sometimes police complain about the lack of resources like vehicles to move around or to attend reported crimes immediately and they should be provided,” he added.
Lt. General Mkhwanazi expressed concern over Inanda and uMlazi police stations for topping the list of highly serious crimes. He said a lot is being done on the ground and at a strategic level to remedy the situation.
“From August 1 to November 22 this year, police have arrested 42 079 suspects for various categories of crime. Over 14 000 of them were arrested for contact crimes,” he said.
Mkhwanazi said 926 suspects were arrested for murder, 986 were arrested for attempted murder and 8 139 were arrested for assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. 639 drug dealers were arrested and most of them were foreign nationals.
He said in the same period police recovered 1 525 firearms and 18 289 rounds of ammunition of different calibre of firearms.