Slight drop in reported sexual offences in Gauteng

This was confirmed by the newly appointed provincial police commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni, during the release of crime statistics for the third quarter of 2023/24.

Mthombeni presented the statistics between October and December 2023 during a media briefing in Kempton Park on Tuesday.

"We have also observed a significant reduction in all three offences (rape, sexual assaults and contact sexual offences) reported under the umbrella of sexual offences, by 2.5%, which translates to 66 counts lower in comparison with the same period in 2022/2023.

“This reduction is attributed to measures that we have put in place such as; enhancing partnerships with communities and NGOs, awareness campaigns, suspect tracing operations coupled with good convictions by our courts.

“These successes are being communicated through all the available channels of the media to serve as a deterrent to those that have intentions to commit rape," said Mthombeni.

Mthombeni said the sub-category of robbery aggravating remains stubbornly high.

"TRIO crimes (carjacking, robberies at residential and non-residential premises) in particular fall within this sub-category.

 “The sub-category has increased by 6.4 % (413 counts). This was due to the increase in carjacking by 14.4%, which translates to 378 counts more, and robbery at residential premises increased by 4.6% (99 counts more).

“Truck hijacking has decreased by 7.8% (24 counts less) and there were no incidents of bank robberies that were reported during this period.

“The incidents of cash-in-transit (heists) have been fluctuating over the five year period. During the period under review, a total of 16 counts were recorded as compared to 2022/2023, where we recorded 27 counts.”

Mthombeni called on all government departments and communities to work together to implement the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy, which the cabinet approved in March 2022.

"This strategy is advocating for a whole of government and society approach in the fight against crime and the prevention of violence amongst our communities.

“For as long as we do not get this collaboration right, aspects such as environmental design will remain an impediment to effective policing.”

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