Crime stats to be released soon
2010-09-01 19:11
Johannesburg - The police will release crime statistics for the period between April 2009 and March 2010 in the next two weeks, the ministry said on Wednesday.
However, it cautioned that the statistics were not meant for political "point scoring", but to help the police improve their service.
"Based on previous experiences, we are aware that there will be some in society who will be tempted to utilise this announcement to unfairly and subjectively criticise," Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said in a statement.
He called on people to refrain from "pre-emptive pessimism", and to rather contribute to creating a safer and more secure South Africa.
"The ministry therefore hopes to derive objective, honest and constructive feedback from various sectors post the announcement, which police will utilise to improve where there may have been shortcomings."
The announcement will be made by Mthethwa, his deputy Fikile Mbalula and national commissioner of police General Bheki Cele.
They will be joined by senior management and provincial commissioners.
The categories to be covered include commercial crime, business robberies, house robberies, hijackings, robbery with aggravated circumstances, sexual offences, murder and stock theft.
A date has not yet been set for the release of the statistics.
- SAPA