JOHANNESBURG - Statistics released by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu revealed that reported serious crimes showed an overall decline of 5.1% between July and September this year.
Among cases that have seen a decline include murder, with a decrease of 5.8%, sexual offenses with 2.5% and robbery with aggravating circumstances by 8.8%.
However, residents in Randburg, north of Johannesburg said true reflection of their realist as the streets continue to remain lawless
Lebohang Kgotiane, 34, told eNCA that crime is something they see on a daily basis, in plain sight, without anyone being held accountable.
“ They say things have changed but what I see things have gone worse. Recently as I was leaving a bottle store I saw spills of blood on the ground you could see that there was a violent incident because there was a lost a broken bottle nearby," he said.
He argues that these were merely numbers tallied by people who have not been on the ground to observe the difficult conditions they live under.
E-hailing driver Peter Letsoalo agrees, and says people live with the fear of being robbed on a daily basis.
“I witness people getting stabbed each and every night here in Randburg," he said.
Lesoalo challenged the police to come and see their everyday reality.
“The councillor is not here; the minister is not here. They need to come to the ground and see everything. as a driver robbed almost everyday. For me to report the case it is useless because the case will not go anywhere.”
Speaking on the lack of trust between police and communities, Khomotjo Maphaho, 31, from Randburg says victims have lost confidence in law enforcement officials because cases allegedly go cold with no resolution
“The crime has not reduced. In fact a lot of people choose not to report cases because they’re not taken seriously or end with just investigations. A lot of people keep dying everyday through hijacking and gangsterism and nothing is being done," she said.
She emphasised that the statistics are much higher than the numbers presented by the minister.
Meanwhile Mchunu says police remain determined to bring perpetrators to justice.
“Significant strides in the justice system since assuming office have led to 265 life sentences issued to 222 individuals, including 61 for murder and 198 for rape,"
“Additionally, 22 individuals received sentences of 40 years or more, reflecting the department's commitment to delivering severe penalties for serious crimes,” the minister said.
By Zandile Khumalo and Ntandoyenkosi Kubheka