South Africa has seen the number of arrests and convictions relating to serious crime plummet since the launch of the Hawks in 2009.<\/p>\n
This is according to information obtained by the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second largest political party, following a reply to a parliamentary question.<\/p>\n
The Hawks’ mandate is to\u00a0 target organised crime, economic crime, corruption, and other serious crime referred to it by the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS).<\/p>\n
The Scorpions, which operated independently under the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), was disbanded by President Jacob Zuma in 2009, after it had pursued corruption charges against him.<\/p>\n
Since the disbandment of the Scorpions in January 2009, there has been a 60% decline in arrests and an astounding 83% plummet in conviction rates in the last six years of the Hawks\u2019 existence, the DA said in a statement on Thursday (29 October).<\/p>\n
“With the country losing approximately R30 billion\u00a0–\u00a0and climbing – each year to corruption, it is completely inexplicable as it is unacceptable that convictions in corruption have plummeted,”\u00a0said Zakhele Mbhele, DA shadow minister of police.<\/p>\n
“It is crystal clear that President Zuma and the ANC in government are not interested in the war against corruption but are rather the biggest proponents of corrupt activity.”<\/p>\n
Read: How many crimes in South Africa led to arrests<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n In the 2010\/11 financial year, there were 14,793 arrests with 7,037 convictions. However, in the 2014\/15 financial year, only 5,847 arrests were made which led to 1,176 convictions.<\/p>\n Since April this year only 1,038 arrests have been made and 288 convictions obtained.<\/p>\n “The DA will continue to stand firm in its position that the Hawks be disbanded and that the Scorpions be re-established under the NPA, which itself must be independent and free from political interference,” Mbhele said.<\/p>\n Most South Africans don\u2019t feel safe<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The worst crime hot spots in South Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
\n Year<\/th>\n Arrests<\/th>\n Convictions<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2010-11<\/td>\n 14,793<\/td>\n 7,037<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2011-12<\/td>\n 13,146<\/td>\n 6,538<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2012-13<\/td>\n 7,620<\/td>\n 4,694<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2013-14<\/td>\n 6,257<\/td>\n 4,043<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2014-15<\/td>\n 5,847<\/td>\n 1,176<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n April 2015-<\/td>\n 1,038<\/strong><\/em><\/td>\n 288<\/strong><\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n More on crime in South Africa<\/h3>\n
2015 crime stats for South Africa: everything you need to know<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n