WC’s Standing Committee on Community Safety wants SAPS briefing on solving child murders

The Western Cape’s Standing Committee on Community Safety wants the South African Police Service (SAPS) to brief them on what plans will be implemented to solve child murders.

In a space of a week, four children in the Western Cape having been murdered.

DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Community Safety, Gillion Bosman, said there is a strong correlation between the under-resourcing of SAPS and the increase of crime in our communities.

‘’This is no different when it comes to the safety of our children. I also will be requesting that provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, put the Court Watching Brief Unit (CWBU) on the cases where arrests have been made.’’

‘’It is critical for us to use all mechanisms available to ensure that those responsible face justice for the harm and destruction they have caused to loved ones of these children,’’ he added.

Gillion revealed that over the last five financial years, the number of detectives in the Western Cape have fallen from 2 792 to 2 587 – a decrease of over 7%.

‘’These figures further worsen case load of detectives, which already stands at an average of 250 cases per detective. In the face of incapacitated crimefighting, we need to make use of innovative solutions to protect our children.’’

‘’We call on SAPS to strengthen their investigative capacity so that our criminal justice system can work more effectively. Our children cannot continue to be victims of crime. The time for action is now,’’ added Bosman.

 

Done by: Mitchum George