Question NW238 to the Minister of Police
12 March 2021 - NW238
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police
Whether has he been informed of the alarming statistics of the recent 2021 survey carried out by a statistics website, Numbeo.com, which ranked six South African cities among the global top 20 of the most dangerous cities (details furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how is his department planning to ensure that the Republic forges a better reputation in the global communities and (b) what are the details of the implementation strategy of such efforts?
Reply:
Yes, the Management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) is aware of the recent, 2021 survey, which was carried out by a statistics website, Numeo.com. The cities identified in the survey, according to the rankings, are as follows:
|
Pretoria |
Number 3 |
|
eThekwini (Durban) |
Number 4 |
|
Johannesburg |
Number 5 |
|
Pietermaritzburg |
Number 7 |
|
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) |
Number 14 |
|
Cape Town |
Number 16 |
It should be noted that the Crime Index is based on surveys from visitors to the website. To generate a current index, data up to 36 months old is used and includes only cities for which there are at least a certain number of contributors.
The table below provides a perspective on the number of participants over a 36 month period:
|
Pretoria |
280 |
|
eThekwini (Durban) |
240 |
|
Johannesburg |
|
|
Pietermaritzburg |
81 |
|
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) |
103 |
|
Cape Town |
510 |
676Although the content of the survey is noted, the number of participants is indeed marginal if measured against the total population of each of these
The SAPS initiated the Safer Cities Project in collaboration with Strategic stakeholders, such as municipalities and went beyond the above mentioned six cities to also include Emalahleni, Polokwane, Rustenburg, Mangaung and Kimberley.
In the above cities, with the exception of Pietermaritzburg, the initiation process has been concluded, led by the SAPS Management and in some instances by the Minister or Deputy Minister of Police, who engaged with provincial and local government to brief them on the project and agreed on joint mechanisms for the development and implementation of a Safer Cities Project.
The implementation strategy entails the development of project and implementation plans by the provinces, with their respective cities. The city of eThekwini (Durban) has gone beyond the initiation phase and has developed a project plan with an implementation plan.
One of the milestones achieved by the city of eThekwini (Durban) is the establishment of an integrated Fusion Centre, which was launched on 20 November 2020. The other cities are expected to finalise their project plans with implementation plans, in the 2021/2022 financial year. This strategy is being rolled out with the District Development Model, in respect of planning and budgeting for the project.
The objectives of the Safer Cities Project (strategy) are:
A country free of crime and violence.
People feeling safe, within the city or district precinct.
Increased economic growth of the city.
Integrated functional governance system.
Public confidence and trust in the governance of the city/district.
Reply to question 238 recommended/
GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2021-03-04
Reply to question 238 approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
GENERAL BH CELE, MP
Date: 12/03/2021