A preliminary report, that is yet to undergo the necessary verification and endorsements, that speaks to the general decrease in serious and violent crimes, was released by the Police Minister, Bheki Cele, on Sunday , 05 April 2020. These decrease is attracted to amongst other factors, the prohibition of the sale and movement of liquor since the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown.

Along side this achievement, the Minister also noted with concern high numbers of complaints in relation to gender based violence. According to Minister Cele, over 2 300 calls/complaints have been registered since the beginning of the lockdown on 27 March 2020 until 31 March 2020 and from these, 148 suspects were charged.

With the initial declaration of the COVID-19 State of Disaster on 15 March 2020, Minister Cele at that point flagged as a concern, the possible increase in GBV and Domestic Violence cases. The Minister at that time urged the management of the SAPS to reinforce the FCS Units (Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences) at police stations to ensure the SAPS readiness and capacity to respond to related complaints.

“Considering the improved rate of life sentences secured by the FCS Units in the past, one is optimistic that police will continue to work around the clock towards securing successful convictions and long term sentences of perpetrators of crimes against women and children. This should remain the practice even beyond the lockdown as GBV remains a scourge across the country,” remarked Minister Cele.

The 2019-2020 National Crime Statistics are yet to be officially released by the Minister of Police to Parliament at a later stage this year.

The Department of Social Development encourages all in distress to utilize the available helpline:

-The VIP Team

-SAPS Ministry

-Dept. Of Soc Dev