Massive increase in murder, rape as Cele releases latest crime stats
There has been a massive increase in murder and rape cases in South African between July and September 2021.
This was revealed by Police Minister Bheki Cele when he released the quarterly crime statistics on Friday.
A total 6 163 people were killed in South Africa between July and September.
“In the three months of reporting, a 20.7% increase in murder was recorded. However, when compared to the previous financial year, a period of no lockdown, the murder percent would have been a 13.2% increase,” said Cele.
The July unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal contributed to the murder rate.
“Whilst it’s clear that the July unrest contributed to the murder figures, we must concede that other provinces such as Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and North West recorded double-digit increases in murder during this reporting period,” said Cele.
Of the top stations that recorded the highest number of murder cases, Harare, Khayelitsha, and Nyanga police stations in the Western Cale recorded decreases.
Some 9 556 people reported rape during this period.
SAPS says this is an increase of 634 cases which amounts to a 7.1% increase compared to the previous year.
“A sample of 6144 rape cases revealed that 3951 of the incidents took place at the home of the victim or the home of the rapist. Liquor and drugs were involved in 1383 of the rape cases, 400 were domestic violence-related, meaning the victim and perpetrator have a relationship,” added Cele.
He said the 72 762 cases of common assault and assault to cause grievous bodily harm demonstrated that South Africa is a very violent country.
All forms of assault recorded double-digit percentage increases.
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