SAPS faces criticism over postponed crime statistics release

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has yet to provide clarity on the reasons for the delay in releasing the quarterly crime statistics, now anticipated to be made public in November.

Initially scheduled for release in August and then postponed to September, this delay has sparked significant criticism from political parties and civil society organisations, who are demanding accountability and transparency.

Last week, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, warned that the delay is not merely a technical issue but one that “undermines public confidence, data integrity and trust in the police”.

Both ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance have voiced serious concern over the police’s failure to deliver the statistics on time, calling for transparency and accountability.

ActionSA MP Dereleen James said the latest failure comes amid deepening turmoil within the Police Ministry, marked by uncertainty over the acting Minister’s authority, a leadership vacuum at the top of SAPS, and ongoing investigations by the Ad Hoc Committee into governance failures within the ministry.

"Crime statistics are not merely data points, they are essential tools for policy decisions, public oversight, and rebuilding the trust of a nation living in fear,” she said.

“ActionSA calls for the immediate release of the outstanding quarterly crime statistics, accompanied by a full and public explanation for the delay.”

James grilled Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale on Tuesday, when he appeared before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal provincial head Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of political interference.

In response to James’ question on the delay, Mathale said: “It is unfortunate that we did not release the crime stats… It’s just that there were delays in signing off, and the changes that took place. That’s it…”

On Sunday, Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said: “The statistics will be released in November, for both quarters. The SAPS can better advise on the delay.”

SAPS did not respond to queries.

DA Spokesperson on Police, Lisa Schickerling, said that when she questioned the National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, about the crime statistics, he admitted it had a lot to do with the fact that there's chaos within the management of the police at the moment.

“You can just look at any newspaper on any given day and you can see that the killings are actually escalating… There's definitely a disjoint between what is being reported on and what is happening on the ground, and I think that is part of the delay in the crime statistics in our country," she said.

Spokesperson for anti-gender-based violence group Ilitha Labantu, Siyabulela Monakali, said the publication of crime data was a vital mechanism of public accountability and democratic transparency.

“As the nation approaches the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, the lack of current statistics undermines collective planning and coordination at a time when evidence-based interventions are most needed," he said.

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