Amnesty International is calling on the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) to be held accountable for their failure to ensure the safety of all who live in South Africa.
“It is deeply concerning that contact crimes such as murder, attempted murder, sexual offences and all categories of assault registered a 60,6% increase during the first quarter of 2021/22. Murder alone increased by 66,2 %. The police must take swift action to ensure that all the perpetrators face justice in fair trials,” said Amnesty International South Africa’s Executive Director, Shenilla Mohamed.
“The SAPS have an obligation to protect the rights to life and security. These stats show that they are failing to fulfil this obligation. Even during the unrest in July, which led to the deaths of more than 300 people, the police failed to respond adequately,” added Mohamed.
Amnesty International also reiterates its call for government to take urgent, decisive, and concrete action that will bring the crucial change needed to stop gender-based violence (GBV).
Mohamed said “it is shocking and disheartening to see that reported cases of rape increased by 72,4%. To add to this, the criminal justice system continues to fail victims and survivors of GBV. Right now, the conviction rate for crimes of rape is staggeringly low due to a high number of cases dropping out of the criminal justice system, and most reported cases never being prosecuted.”
Background
The South African Police Service (SAPS) released its Crime Statistics first quarter of 2021/22 today.
Amnesty International South Africa is demanding justice for victims of GBV and their families by calling on the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, to:
- Ensure police are gathering evidence in a constitutional manner and are accountable in accordance with the law.
- Ensure police follow timely and due process during investigations.
- Ensure there is no further impunity for cases of femicide or gender-based violence.
- Ensure that corruption amongst police, also in cases of femicide and gender-based violence, is no longer tolerated.
- Ensure that police are trained to sensitively and objectively investigate incidents of gender-based violence.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW, PLEASE CONTACT:
Sibusiso Khasa, Campaigner, Amnesty International South Africa: +27 (0) 73 4496 871; sibusiso.khasa@amnesty.org.za
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