Civil rights organization AfriForum received the release of the crime statistics of 2011/2012 with mixed feelings, and with some scepticism. The reduced number of several contact crimes is a welcome relief and AfriForum directly relates this to the increased involvement of the community in the fight against crime. 11,9 % Less hijackings could also indicate that people are becoming more educated and taking better steps to prevent being hijacked. Community patrolling and communications structures have vastly improved over the last twelve months, and vigilant citizens would have contributed to a significant percentage in this reduction.
While it may be true that the statistics released reflect reported crime, it is also a fact that some police stations may have in many instances failed to open up dockets and add all the charges that could have been brought against perpetrators to mask the true crime picture. According to Reg Crewe, AfriForum’s Head of Community Safety, AfriForum members have complained bitterly of this in recent months.
