The report, which centres on victims of crime, is meant to complement the police crime statistics for the same financial year released in September. The briefing ahead of the release of the report will kick-off at 10:30. The report is expected to expand on the level of trust South Africans have in the police. The recently released crime statistics have been met with a great deal of scepticism and criticism from South Africans as evidenced by comments on social media platforms. The greatest concern has been the increase in instances of murder and sexual violations over the last financial year.

More recently, Free Staters have dismissed statements from the provincial police indicating the Free State has less crime than it did ten years ago despite a growing population. The Provincial Police Commissioner, Moeketsi Sempe, says the province’s police have managed to reduce 17 community-related crime figures by 21% from over 118 000 in 2009/10 to close to 94 000 instances in 2018/19, despite a growing population.

Various individuals have reacted negatively to this revelation adding there is, in fact, more crime happening on the streets of the province. The Free State did experience a 3,2% increase in crime between 2017/18 and 2018/19.

OFM News