Latest news with #SAPSCrimeStatistics
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Women's Day: Action Society calls for violence against women to be declared a national disaster
Action Society calls for urgent action on violence against women in South Africa Image: Supplied Action Society released a statement on Women's Day, asserting that the widespread violence against South African women should be considered an act of terror, rather than merely crime. Citing the latest SAPS Crime Statistics, the rights group warned that behind the speeches and tributes, millions of South African women are not celebrating - they are surviving. The press release noted that, in the SAPS Crime Statistics covering 1 October to 31 December 2024, violence against women remains alarmingly high. 961 women murdered - about 11 per day, 320 per month, 11,803 women raped - about 131 per day, 3,934 per month, 16,023 women assaulted with grievous bodily harm, about 174 per day and 5,341 per month. Action Society strongly felt that these figures only reflect reported cases. 'Thousands more remain hidden in silence, fear, or distrust of a system that too often fails them,' read the statement. By comparison, the group said that terrorism kills around 1,667 people per month globally. 'South African women alone face over 9,500 violent attacks every month, yet there is no war room, no emergency deployment, and no national mobilisation,' it contended. The release also highlighted gaps in the country's legal framework and support structures. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ It stated that while South Africa does have sexual offences courts, there are just over 100 for the entire country - far below what is needed, adding that many are under-resourced, inconsistently staffed, or not fully operational, with rural and high-crime areas often lacking access entirely. Action Society is calling for a package of urgent actions, including that Violence against women be declared a national disaster In addition, it is calling for urgent investment in public-private partnerships to strengthen investigative and forensic capacity, the expansion of courts in every district focusing on permanent legislation of sexual offences, better-trained prosecutors and magistrates to prioritise GBV cases, and enforcement of mandatory minimum sentences and closure of legal loopholes. 'This Women's Day, we cannot simply honour women with words,' said Juanita du Preez, spokesperson for Action Society. 'We must defend their right to safety and dignity with decisive action. Silence protects the predator, not the victim.' Du Preez reiterated the group's stance, stating that the statistics demand more than rhetoric and commemorations. 'They require concrete, systemic reforms to protect women and deter those threatening them," she said. IOL Politics
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Arcadia CID plants hundreds of flowers on busy street
To commemorate World Environment Month, the Arcadia City Improvement District (CID) recently took to the streets to plant 519 flowers along Stanza Bopape Street. The planting took place on World Environment Day, June 5. CID manager Catherine Keyworth says they chose the number for a reason: '519 flowers have been planted to celebrate our continued success in terms of the SAPS Crime Statistics and to observe World Environment Day along Stanza Bopape Street.' She said 519 Stanza Bopape Street is also their street address. Following the release of the recent fourth quarter crime statistics, Keyworth believes, despite its challenges, Arcadia remains one of the safest suburbs in the metro. 'The success that we see in Arcadia is the fruit of more than 20 years of hard work. Our founders and board of directors had the foresight to see a problem developing and the necessary steps to correct the course of urban decay to protect the area,' she said. Flowers planted on the day included an assortment of bee-friendly flowerswell-suited to the winter sun. These included petunias, Barberton daisies, and pansies. She thanked all who continue to add to the community and encouraged Arcadians to report problems when they see them so they can be addressed. 'The more we speak as a community about shared challenges, the stronger our voices are. 'We would like to see more investment in the area in terms of infrastructure improvements, more innovative green projects such as solar lighting. And the seat of our nation's capital given the support it needs to thrive,' she concluded. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
