Cele: Murder, rape increased in year-end stats
Police Minister Bheki Cele painted a grim picture on Friday when he released the quarterly crime statistics for the period from 1 October to the end of December.
The figures show an increase of a 6.6% in murders across the country.
Mpumalanga showed the biggest increase with a jump of 13,7% when compared to the corresponding period in the previous financial year.
Limpopo, North West and Northern Cape recorded a decline in murder cases.
The top four factors contributing to a spike in murders include arguments, robberies at a household and businesses, mob justice incidents and gang-related killings.
Cele said the report exposes some of the gaps and shortcomings that exist in the policing of certain crime categories and in certain provinces.
“The National Crime Statistics from October to December 2020 do not paint a good picture, and hence force us as the SAPS to dig deep and put the shoulder to the wheel.”
Cele added gender-based violence remains a pressing issue for police, with more than 12 000 people raped between October and December last year.
“This is an increase of 181 cases, amounting to a 1.5% increase compared to the previous reporting period,” Cele said.
“A 5% increase has been recorded for sexual offences detected as a result of police action.”
He further denied claims that there was a shortage in rape kits at police stations.
“Allow me to take this opportunity to assure the nation that there is no shortage of evidence collection kits, also known as rape kits in all police stations across the country.
“A three -year contract entered into with a supplier in 2019 to provide these essential kits, is still in place.”
#CrimeStats | Cele hits back at the EFF for the claims that rape kits are sparse at police stations. He labels the claims as "cheap politics and disgusting". pic.twitter.com/0hTkrti52U
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) February 19, 2021
“Let me also remind the nation that GBV and femicide remains a priority crime for the SAPS. We are on a daily basis, improving our services and responses, at station level. As the SAPS we are motivated that numerous life sentences have been handed down for crimes committed against women and children.”
All property-related crimes decreased by 15.8%.
Stock theft also recorded a decrease of 6.9%.
“Aggravated robberies such as carjacking increased by 7%. There were 77 more residential robberies in the month of October to December 2020. However there has been some relief for business owners, 374 less businesses were robbed during this time,” said Cele.
“Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the country’s trucking industry. An increase in the targeting of delivery vans and trucks was recorded.”
Cele said he remained concerned that Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and the Western Cape showed signs of regress in their fight against crime.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape showed significant improvement.
ALSO READ:
