Useful and useless. The people of this country have just been offered the latest crime statistics as if they were something worthy of our notice.

In fact, for the countless victims of crime these figures are utterly meaningless. Is it of any comfort to the families of those murdered for little more than a cellphone to know that there have been a 3,5 per cent decrease in murder in the Western Cape?

How many potential victims do 3,5 per cent represent? How can it be of any significance when even one murder is a murder too many?

And surely our minister of safety and security does not harbour any illusions that women are feeling safer because rape is down by seven per cent – according to the statistics, that is. Seven per cent fewer women raped? If it has any meaning in the context of reality, will somebody please explain it to us.

Such statistics will not stem the tide of trauma flooding this country.

No even an increase of 222% in commercial robberies has prevented Jackie Selebi, soon to be tried for corruption, from retaining his pay as national police commissioner.

Why bother with crime statistics at all?