South African Insurance Association confirms its on-going support for Business Against Crime with a donation of R1,8 million

Since 2003, The South African Insurance Association (SAIA) has donated over R15 million to Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA). With the demonstrable results of the joint initiatives driven during this period, SAIA continues its annuity funding in 2011 with a donation of R1.8 million, the highest received to date.

“We thank SAIA for this significant contribution and the insurance industry’s on-going commitment to the collective fight against crime, as prompted by former President Nelson Mandela in 1996 with his call for business’ support to government in addressing crime,” says BACSA chairperson Yedwa Simelane.

SAIA’s strength has been in mobilising the insurance industry to systematically and effectively resolve common challenges, from vehicle crime to road safety. Together with BACSA and other key stakeholders, motor vehicle theft and hijackings have been systematically reduced from a peak of over 17 vehicles per 1 000 registered vehicles in 1998, to the current rate of below 8 vehicles per 1 000 registered. This reduction has been achieved by focusing on various interventions, including the implementation of Microdot Technology which, following many years of lobbying comes into effect this year. The industry and its members have also targeted insurance fraud and corruption through the establishment of the Insurance Crime Bureau, which continues to produce impressive results.

SAIA Chairman Ronnie Napier says: “We are proud of our strenuous efforts as an industry, which have greatly assisted in the general reduction of motor vehicle crime. Our focus now, with BACSA, is to reduce all crimes across the board and to attempt to set a strong foundation for the future with crime levels lower than the present unacceptable figures.”

Last year SAIA announced it would sponsor the implementation and maintenance of five Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology sites for three years. The intention of these sites is to leverage the force-multiplier capabilities of technology in assisting the Police in reducing vehicle and other priority crimes. Following the launch of the first site in January 2011, a total of 38 vehicles have been impounded by the SA Police Service and insured vehicles worth more than R4 million recovered.

“BACSA and SAIA have a long-standing and close relationship dating back to the creation of BACSA in 1996. This association yields tangible benefits for the insurance industry, and the national effort to curb the scourge of crime, and is typical of the strength of relationships that BACSA has with the many business sectors and industries. We look forward to continuing this valuable partnership in our efforts to stamp out crime,” concludes Simelane.