The crime most feared in South Africa is housebreaking, according to a survey recently conducted for the National Prosecuting Authority.
”The reason is the fear that the burglary will take place while the residents are on the premises,” said Andre du Toit, acting director for public prosecutions in the Free State. He was addressing a symposium on serious and violent crime in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
”One can avoid dangerous areas and prevent robbery, but you cannot stay away from your house.”
Du Toit said it was disturbing that only 1% of reported housebreakings went to court. It was well known that the best deterrent to crime was that the perpetrator would be caught.
”The possibility is almost non-existent concerning housebreaking.”
Du Toit said robbery was one of the serious crimes that was reported the least.
The public’s impression that crime was out of control could largely be attributed to the increase in robberies since 1994, to the violent nature of robberies and to the ”new-phenomenon” robberies.
These included cash-in-transit robberies, which replaced bank robberies after banks improved their security. Others are vehicle hijacks, house robberies -‒ people storming into a house and robbing the residents -‒ and ”shopping mall” robberies.
In regard to murder, Du Toit said inquests revealed a cause for concern. In 2005 792 inquests were received, and in 2006 there were 789.
”When these [inquests] are analysed, further disturbing statistics were found. During 2005 about 270 investigations and in 2006 about 300 inquests found that a person was responsible for the death of the victims, but prosecution cannot start because witnesses cannot be found.
”This means in these two years there were 577 murders where the murderers cannot be prosecuted.”
Du Toit said there was great concern in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) about the increase in crime.
He said a recent management meeting of the NPA resolved to find innovative solutions with communities and other partners to make an impact in the war against crime. — Sapa