Complete overhaul of SAPS needed, says Amnesty International

It believes there needs to be a complete overhaul of the South African Police Service so that it is fit for purpose to deal with the extremely high levels of crime. 

 

Spokesperson Mienke Steytler says the murder in South Africa is at an alarmingly high level, with an average of 69 people being killed per day from January to March this year. 

 

"Overall murder increased by 28.5% since 2019. we can no longer allow violent crimes to continue with impunity. The justice system has to act as a deterrent and the first step is to ensure the police can conduct thorough and efficient investigations into all killings and to ensure the perpetrators are charged by the law."

 

Steytler says the continued onslaught against women and children in the country is shameful.

 READ: Seven shot and killed at Glebelands Hostel

According to the stats, the murders of women have increased by 7.9% and attempted murder by a shocking 21.5% compared to the same reporting period of the previous year.

 

The murder of children may have dropped by 19.9% this quarter, but the attempted murder of children has gone up by 8.8%. 

 

"The country has a lot of plans, we have a lot of rhetoric and lots of statements made by the president and government officials.

"We have three new gender-based violence laws but we are seeing that no one is safe, especially women and children. The government must comply with its own constitutional and national human rights obligations to protect women and children in this country."