Saturday, November 9, 2024

FIRST WITH SECURITY NEWS

Contact crime on the rise in four provinces

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Senzo Mchunu, the Minister of Police, released South Africa’s quarterly crime stats on Friday, 30 August, indicating crime is on the rise, with contact crime a particular concern. “Four of the nine provinces recorded increases in murder cases,” noted Minister Mchunu. The Western Cape saw the highest increase, followed by North West, the Eastern Cape and Limpopo.

All the top 30 stations for murder were in only four provinces, namely Western Cape with 11 stations, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) with eight, the Eastern Cape had six stations and Gauteng had five stations. The leading stations among them were Nyanga, Inanda, Umlazi, Khayelitsha and Harare.

Analysis has revealed most murders occur in public spaces, in all provinces, except for the Northern Cape, where the majority occurred at the residential premises of either the perpetrator or victim. Other prevalent locations where murders occurred include liquor outlets and shebeens, agricultural premises, business premises, public transport premises and spaza/tuck shops.

A total of nine farm murders were reported, with the Minister noting that “four victims were farmers, and three were farm dwellers.” He further added that farmers are “crucial stakeholders,” and police “will ensure that we work with the farming community as we address this challenge.”

The most frequently used weapon in murder cases were firearms, particularly in KZN, Western Cape, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. Firearms are then followed by knives and sharp objects. Knives were the preferred weapon of choice in the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.

The Minister added that September “is not only a time for us to remember our fallen heroes but also Police Safety Month, a crucial period where we emphasise the importance of safeguarding our own members.”

A total number of 21 officers were killed in the first quarter of the year, with 16 being killed off duty. The Eastern Cape had the highest number of officers killed, with five killed. KZN and the Western Cape both lost four officers.

“We will ensure that our personnel receive the support and resources they need to perform their duties safely and effectively. Their courage and resilience must be matched by our commitment to their safety,” said the Minister.

Carjackings have also increased, specifically in the Eastern and Western Cape. Criminals have been targeting sedans, hatchbacks and coupes, with the Kwazakele police station in Gqeberha registering 81 cases of carjacking, an increase of 43 in the first quarter.

“When you compare the two periods we are reporting on today, the number of Cash-In-Transit heists in KZN, Eastern Cape and Gauteng are still a concern,” noted the Minister, adding that overall, numbers have reduced.

Commenting on the increase in coverage around kidnapping cases, the Minister reported “135 cases of kidnapping for ransom were recorded in the first quarter, with Gauteng and KZN accounting for 81 and 15 cases respectively.”

The Minister revealed that over the reporting period, 91 incidents of rape were reported as having taken place at an educational institution, while 12 murders were reported. “We send our children to school to learn, and we thus expect that such environments are safe and conducive for learning.”

“Bringing crime levels down: this is our number one priority, to protect the citizens of South Africa and make them feel safe again,” said Minister Mchunu.

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