Quarterly crime statistics: 'It's more than numbers, it's the lived experiences of South Africans'

Clarence Ford interviews Llewellyn MacMaster, Chairperson of the Cape Crime Crisis Collation.

Listen below.

Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has described the latest quarterly crime statistics as "sobering," noting increases in murder, rape, and extortion rates.

The statistics for the first quarter of 2024, spanning April to June, reveal a 2.6% rise in contact crimes compared to the previous year.

Specifically, rape cases have risen slightly from 9252 to 9309, marking a 0.6% increase.

Additionally, 6198 people were killed in this period.

Mchunu highlighted that the highest crime rates are concentrated in just four provinces: Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Eastern Cape, while Limpopo remains the safest province in terms of murder rates.

MacMaster underscores that these statistics represent more than just figures; they reflect the real-life experiences and anxieties of many South Africans.

"Stats can be very cold, but if you don't see it in the context of the lived experiences of people, it just becomes figures."

- Llewellyn MacMaster, Chairperson – Cape Crime Crisis Collation

MacMaster expresses optimism regarding Senzo Mchunu’s appointment as Minister of Police, noting that significant progress has been made toward enhancing safety in South Africa.

He highlights Mchunu's proactive engagement across the city and the recent agreement signed between the City of Cape Town, the police, and the Western Cape government, which demonstrates Mchunu’s commitment to translating his promises into tangible actions.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.