Western Cape Premier Urges Immediate Release of Crime Stats by Police Minister

Cape Town – Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagan Allen have jointly called on National Police Minister Bheki Cele to promptly release the fourth quarter crime statistics. The Western Cape officials expressed concerns over the delayed release of the statistics, which were initially scheduled to be made public on May 17.

The previous release of third quarter crime statistics earlier this year painted a troubling picture for the Western Cape. Revealing that over 1,300 people were murdered in the province between October and December, with six police stations in the province ranking among the top 10 stations nationally for the highest number of murders.

Minister Allen raised suspicions about Minister Cele’s motives in withholding the statistics, suggesting a lack of transparency. Referring to the incidents of mass shootings in parts of the Cape Metro during the fourth quarter, Allen emphasized the importance of analyzing the data comprehensively to fully grasp the situation.

Both Premier Winde and Minister Allen have reached out to Minister Cele and SAPS National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, urging them to release the vital information. They emphasized the necessity of having access to the latest crime statistics to inform interventions and address any emerging challenges proactively.

Additionally, Minister Allen indicated that inquiries had been made regarding the reason for the delay in releasing the crime statistics. The quest for transparency and accountability in addressing crime concerns within the province remains a top priority for the Western Cape officials.

Media Enquiries: Marcellino Martin, Spokesperson for Minister Reagen Allen, 082 721 3362 (m)