Minister Bheki Cele should immediately release 4th quarter Crime Statistics

Joint statement between Premier Alan Winde and Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen.

Premier, Alan Winde and Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen have said that the National Minister of Police, Bheki Cele has no justifiable reason to further delay the release of the fourth quarter crime statistics. These statistics were due to be released on 17 May 2024. 

Premier Winde said, “It is critical that the statistics be made public as soon as possible. As difficult as it can be, we must face the reality behind the numbers. By withholding the statistics, the Minister risks impeding our work – as data directly informs the work that our law enforcement agencies do. We must be able to adequately analyse the data to see where we have to improve and direct our efforts and resources. I urge the Minister to release the latest statistics for the sake of transparency and openness. Our residents should not be kept in the dark on this crucial issue.”

Minister Reagen Allen asserted that “I am concerned that this may be a deliberate ploy by Minister Cele and withholding the release of the statistics suggests that he is hiding something. Between 2019 and 2024, this Minister has proven to be the epitome of everything a National Minister of Police should not be. Not at any moment during his tenure has he considered amending SAPS’ operational model to counter crime across our province and country. Given the various mass shootings that occurred in parts of the Cape Metro during the fourth quarter, we are expecting worsened crime statistics, but we need to be able to assess the data wholistically to fully understand the situation.”

“I have written to both the National Minister and SAPS’ National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, urging them to release this critical information. This gives us insight into what the reality is, while also enabling us to activate interventions to address any challenges. Furthermore, I have written to enquire why the crime statistics have not been released, and what is the cause of the delay,” concluded Minister Reagen Allen.