The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted a formal Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to compel the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia, to release the first-quarter crime statistics, which remain unpublished despite repeated requests.

DA Spokesperson on Police, Lisa Schickerling, said the move follows: “two previous written requests and two formal media statements” urging the Acting Minister to release the figures. “Despite repeated promises, there has still been no clarity or accountability from the Ministry or SAPS,” she said.

The DA notes that South Africa is now: “on the eve of the release of the second-quarter crime statistics,” yet the first quarter figures are still missing. Schickerling described the delay as: “unacceptable and [one that] undermines transparency, accountability, and the public’s right to know the true state of safety in our country.”

According to the DA, crime data is a public resource, not an internal SAPS document. “Crime statistics are not the property of the SAPS or the Minister, they belong to the people of South Africa,” Schickerling said. “They are a critical tool for measuring performance, identifying crime trends, and ensuring that police resources are allocated where they are needed most.”

The party warned that the continued secrecy: “raises serious concerns about possible interference, dysfunction, or manipulation within SAPS management structures,” pointing to what it called a: “leadership crisis” in the Police Ministry.

The DA is demanding the immediate release of the data, a full explanation for the delay, and a commitment that future statistics be released on time and without political interference. Should SAPS refuse, the party says it will pursue: “all available legal and parliamentary remedies” to ensure accountability.