Western Cape police-to-population ratio way below the national average

The Western Cape’s police-to-population ratio has worsened over the last two years and now stands well below the country’s average.

According to a release published by the Democratic Alliance (DA), the ratio in the province has dipped from one police officer to less than people, to one police officer to over 500 people.

This follows a recent parliamentary Q&A session reply to DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Community Safety, Mireille Wenger.

“Overall, the ratio of police officers to citizens in South Africa has regressed slightly between 2016 and 2018, from 347 citizens per officer to 369 citizens per officer – according to the SAPS annual report,” Wenger said

 

“However, my parliamentary replies reveal that the Western Cape and police precincts in the City of Cape Town have harshly deteriorated over the last two years and are now well below the country’s average.”

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It’s an even bleaker picture in the province’s biggest metro, the City of Cape Town, where the ratio stood at one police officer for every 460 people in 2016, This year the figure stands at one officer to every 560 people.

Wenger expressed concern over the ongoing gang violence in the region, as well as the violent protests that have sprung up frequently in the area, along with the province’s high murder rate.

“This means in the Western Cape each officer is now serving an average of 124 more residents than in 2016,” Wenger said.

“This is seriously concerning considering the Western Cape is suffering from on-going gang violence, violent protest and high rates of murder.”

She added that the South African Police Service needs to be well equipped to ensure that citizens do not live with the constant fear of falling victim to crime.

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