In response to KwaZulu-Natal's alarming crime statistics, local government is ramping up efforts to combat criminal activity by partnering with service providers and the private sector.
The province topped the charts in the latest fourth-quarter crime statistics, recording the highest number of rape cases in the country—accounting for nearly 20% of the national total. It also ranks among the top four provinces with the highest murder rates.
Glenrose Xaba-Makhetha, Head of the Department of Community Safety, says collaborative efforts are underway to explore advanced crime-fighting tools.
“Two months ago, the Premier met with technology service providers to showcase innovations that could aid in the fight against gender-based violence and crime more broadly,” said Xaba-Makhetha.
Among the proposed measures is the deployment of drones and other modern surveillance technology to improve response times and monitoring capabilities.
Xaba-Makhetha emphasized that the province cannot go it alone. “We’ve reached out to the business sector to partner with us—not only in terms of strategic input but also to contribute resources. Their capacity and support will be crucial in strengthening our province’s ability to combat crime effectively.”
The province hopes that by combining public and private efforts, it can better equip law enforcement and make meaningful progress in reducing violent crime.