/ 2 July 2007

DA eagerly awaits crime stats

The Democratic Alliance (DA) awaits the release of crime statistics with bated breath, the party said on Monday.

Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula is expected to release the crime statistics on Tuesday.

DA spokesperson on safety and security Dianne Kohler-Barnard said the party hoped the crime statistics would restore the public’s faith in the police’s ability to fight crime.

”We hope the figures will demonstrate the effectiveness of the provincial crime-prevention strategies that have been in place for a year,” she said.

In particular, the DA hoped the crime figures would be presented in a form allowing for meaningful comparison and analysis.

She said the current available crime statistics shows that on average 55 murders occur every day, 148 rapes, 78 attempted murders and 25 indecent assaults. — Sapa