ISS: Up to 1m crimes in 2003

2004-10-31 14:23

Cape Town - The crime rate in South Africa is much higher than government is willing to admit, Democratic Alliance safety and security spokesperson Roy Jankielsohn said on Sunday.

He said an Institute of Security Studies victims of crime survey in 2003 estimated that more than a million assaults probably took place every year in South Africa, while SAPS statistics only indicated half a million reported assaults.

While the DA welcomed the apparent reduction in the murder rate, as reported in the latest official statistics, there were still legitimate concerns over the low reporting rates in most crime categories.

The ISS survey indicated that less than half of crimes committed were reported to the SAPS.

"Half a million burglaries are most likely to have taken place while less than 300 000 were reported. Incidents of stock theft could also have totalled more than 100 000 as opposed to the 41 273 reported to the SAPS.

"This is why people on the ground are confused by government's statements that it is winning the war against crime. Their experience of crime is very different to governments' perception of crime."

While the ISS Survey did not supply statistics on rape in South Africa, the South African Law Commission reported in 1999 that 1 in 35 rapes were reported in the country. Both Nicro and People Opposing Women Abuse indicated that 1 in 20 rapes were reported.

On the other hand Stats SA indicated that 1 in 2 were reported and the Medical Research Council (MRC) that 1 in 9 were reported.

"Conviction rates are also very low due to a lack of evidence or withdrawal of cases by rape survivors. These surveys indicate that there are not tens of thousands of rapes every year in SA but hundreds of thousands," Jankielsohn said.

"Government should take the low reporting rates into account in order to obtain a clearer picture of crime in South Africa.

"Furthermore, resources in the fight against crime will have to be allocated accordingly. The DA will pose questions to government in parliament on these issues."

- SAPA