*RUPERT SPOKE THE TRUTH: CRIME IN THE WESTERN CAPE CAN’T BE DENIED ANYMORE* By *Brett Herron*, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of the Western Cape Parliament “The crime is terrible Sir, but Mr. Steenhuisen won’t admit it. He runs the Western Cape, where I live, and the highest murder rate is in the Cape Flats.” These were the words spoken last night by billionaire Johan Rupert during the Trump Ramaphosa media engagement. And while Rupert may not always be the voice of the South African people, this time, he gave voice to something millions already know - the crime crisis in the Western Cape is not only real, it’s worsening. Rupert’s comment is already stirring debate, but what’s more significant is the timing. His remarks come as the final quarter of the 2024/2025 crime statistics will be released tomorrow, Friday 23 May. These stats are expected to confirm a trend we’ve seen for years now - murder, especially in working-class and poor communities like the Cape Flats, continues to rise. Children are growing up learning the sound of gunfire before the alphabet. The Democratic Alliance, led by John Steenhuisen, has governed the Western Cape for over a decade. They are not new to power. They run this province with confidence, and they often hold it up as a model of good governance. And yet, under their watch, the murder rate has not been halved, as promised, but has in many areas worsened. Billions of rands have been poured into the Western Cape Safety Plan, a flagship project that pledged to tackle crime at its roots. But there has yet to be a return on investment. Instead, we hear the passing bell for communities that are still burying their sons and daughters every weekend. Rupert’s comments, whether calculated or candid, create the perfect backdrop for tomorrow’s crime stats. They cut through the spin, the PR gloss, and the talking points. Because what he said, “the crime is terrible”, isn’t partisan. It’s painfully real. If Steenhuisen and the DA want to lead, they must start by owning the reality on the ground. The people of the Cape Flats deserve more than excuses. They deserve safety, justice, and a future free from violence.