Latest crime stats reveal spike in murders
There has been a massive increase in the number of murder cases in South Africa between October and December 2023, according to the latest crime statistics.
Police Minister Bheki Cele released the crime statistics for the third quarter on Friday morning.
Between 1 October and 31 December 2023, a total of 7,710 people were murdered - a 2.1% increase from the same period in 2022.
"It is disturbing and concerning that the number of people murdered during this period increased by 2.1%, leading to 155 more people murdered as compared to the same period. The provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Free State must be singled out and commended for being able to register a reduction in the number of people murdered during this period.
“While they may not be out of the woods yet, it is important to highlight that attention and more resources have been allocated to stations that have the highest number of murders reported. The majority of the top 30 stations where murder was most reported include the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Eastern Cape," said Cele.
The top 5 stations where murders were reported were in Inanda in KZN, as well as Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Nyanga and Khayelitsha in the Western Cape.
"From a sample size of 7,340 murders, it was established that arguments, misunderstandings, and provocation remain the top causal factors leading to 1,116 murders,” Cele added.
“It is also concerning that of the 268 gang-related murders, 250 of these murders were reported in the Western Cape.”
The stats also show that 431 murders were linked to vigilantism and mob justice attacks.
Gauteng registered the highest with 84, followed by the Eastern Cape with 80 and KwaZulu-Natal with 78.
"During the same period, the SAPS registered the following convictions in relation to murder: life imprisonment: 42 murderers were handed down 56 life sentences,” Cele said.
“Twenty-plus years imprisonment: 83 murderers were handed down life sentences each
“Ten-nineteen years imprisonment: 282 murderers were handed down a collective 287 years imprisonment sentence. Five to nine years imprisonment: 215 murderers were handed down a collective 216 years imprisonment sentence.”
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