The shockingly low conviction rates at the Vosloorus South African Police Service Station in Ekurhuleni, which have been revealed through recent statistics, has prompted the Democratic Alliance in Vosloorus to urge national intervention.
From January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2024, a total of 3,370 cases were reported, including armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, vehicle theft, and possession of illegal substances and narcotics. However, only 40 convictions were secured during this period.
We have written to the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Police to conduct an urgent review of the Vosloorus Police Station’s case management and investigation processes. The Vosloorus community continues to be the victim of harsh crimes, however, we have yet to see it paid the attention it deserves.
Breakdown of Cases and Convictions
- Armed Robbery: 677 cases reported, 11 convictions
- Murder: 301 cases reported, 12 convictions
- Attempted Murder: 421 cases reported, 9 convictions
- Vehicle Theft: 197 cases reported, 2 convictions
- Possession of Illegal Substances and Narcotics: 1,774 cases reported, 6 convictions
These numbers are alarming and indicate a serious need for improvement in the justice system. The community deserves better, and we urge the authorities to take immediate action to address these concerns.
We have long called for a much more localised approach to policing. We do this because of the disconnect from an office at SAPS HQ, with the lived reality on the ground. Police officers simply do not have the resources they require to conduct their work effectively. As part of our letter to the Portfolio Committee, we urge them to bear in mind the constraints on the ground, and how something like a budget allocation can leave an entire community behind.
Vosloorus deserves better.