WC detectives overwhelmed by excessive caseloads, stats show

WESTERN Cape detectives are drowning in hundreds of cases each, leading to a significant crisis within the SAPS.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

This alarming situation was highlighted by Benedicta van Minnen, MPP and DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety.

She said the DA is holding the National Police Commissioner, Fannie Maseloma, and Police Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia, accountable for the systemic failures within the police force.

Minnen said detectives are being set up to fail, buried under impossible caseloads that make effective investigations a distant dream.

According to the SAPS, the benchmark number of cases per detective is a maximum of 60; however, the average caseloads across the province's police precincts are more than doubled.

In response to a parliamentary question, SAPS reported that its vacancy rate stood at -6 at Athlone Police Station, which had 35 detectives, Camps Bay had five detectives with a -1 vacancy rate, while Cape Town Central boasted 70 detectives but faced a staggering vacancy rate of -53.