Over 6 400 murders recorded between April and June - Cele

This is according to Police Minister Bheki Cele, who on Friday announced the crime statistics for the first quarter of the 2022/2023 financial year.

“The number of murders in this country remains high and worrisome,” he said.

“Six thousand four hundred and twenty-four people were killed by other persons in the first quarter of the 2022/2023 financial year. This is an increase of 664 more people compared to the same period last year when the country was placed under Covid-19 lockdown levels 1 and 2.”

Cele said arguments were the first main cause for murders, followed by revenge and retaliation while vigilantism was the third most likely cause.

At the same time, the Umlazi and Plessislaer police stations in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as the Mthatha police station in the Eastern Cape, reported the highest number of murders.

“Two-hundred-and twenty-one were reported in those three areas combined,” Cele said.

According to the minister, firearms were three times more likely to be the weapon of choice in all the reported murders, with 2 766 people shot to death during the reporting period.

“Nine-hundred and twelve of the murders happened in KZN, followed by Gauteng with 697 deaths attributed to firearms. Four hundred and ninety-eight people died from gunshot wounds in the Western Cape."

The minister said violent crimes committed against women and children were recorded at alarmingly high levels.

“From April to June 2022, 855 women and 243 children were killed in South Africa.”

Nineteen child murders took place at institutions of learning, which include daycare facilities primary and high schools, and tertiary institutions.

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