Crime statistics: National murder rate increases again

Police Minister Bheki Cele released the quarterly crime statistics for the period January to March 2023, and it shows most contact crimes have increased, including murder.

Compared with the same period in 2022, 206 more counts of murder were recorded, which represents a 3.4% increase.

The Minister said 6 289 people were killed with either a firearm, knife, sharp and blunt instruments, stone and even bare hands, between January and March this year.

“The majority of the killings took place in the KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng provinces, with arguments, vigilantism and robberies topping the motive list for murder.

“KwaZulu-Natal also reported the highest figures of multiple-murder cases, followed by the Eastern Cape with 206 cases and 155 victims, respectively.

“The Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces recorded decreases in murder figures, with both the Western Cape and Northern Cape reporting a double digit decrease in murder cases.”

At the same time, attempted murder increased by 475; assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm increased by 98; common assault increased by 3 480; common robbery increased by 957, and robbery with aggravating circumstances increased by 1 677.

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Femicide a big concern

Cele expressed his concern at the high rates of violence against women.

Overall, there were 1 485 attempted murders of women in South Africa in the first three months of this year.

A total of 969 women were killed in the same period and over 15 000 women were assaulted.

[WOMEN&CHILDREN] #CrimeStats pic.twitter.com/ASCaEmj9oZ

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) May 30, 2023

Cele said while more work still needs to be done to combat contact crime, the drop in murder figures in some provinces is welcomed.

“These crime figures also show that the Western Cape is turning the corner on contact crime cases.”

Overall, contact crimes increased by 6 299 cases.

[MURDER] The Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces recorded decreases in #murder figures with both the Western Cape and Northern Cape reporting double digit decreases in murder cases. #CrimeStats https://t.co/KortbXnuaM

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) May 30, 2023

Rape and sexual crime decrease

According to the quarterly crime statistics rape cases have shown a decrease from 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023, with six provinces reporting less rape cases.

The statistics show that rape decreased by 306 cases; sexual assault decreased by 322; attempted sexual offences increased by 116, and contact sexual offences decreased by 82.

Cele says the decline in rape cases is attributed to, among other things, the South African Police Service upscaling its operations to trace gender-based violence (GBV) perpetrators, arresting serial sex offenders and rapists, and ongoing men dialogues with communities.

“It remains concerning that 10 512 people were raped in the first three months of this year. A total of 4 768 of the rape incidents took place at the home of the victim or at the home of the perpetrator.”

Crime against children

Between January and March this year, less children were killed in South Africa compared to the same period last year.

“One child murder is one too many and the SAPS must strive for zero tolerance on the murder of children. Child murders decreased by almost 20% (19.9%), and a slight decrease was also noted in assault with grievous bodily harm (GBH) cases of children.

“Sadly and alarmingly, 29 more children were victims of attempted murder compared to the same period last year. A total of 360 more attempted murder cases were registered and investigated by the SAPS involving minors,” the Minister said.

“Let us protect children at ALL costs.”- Police Minister Gen Bheki Cele#ChildProtectionWeek #CrimeStats pic.twitter.com/msy0SeF77y

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) May 30, 2023

Plans to increase police visibility

Cele announced that government has allocated R1.8 billion for the procurement of police vehicles to improve police visibility in its crime fighting efforts.

R65 million has been allocated to the top 30 crime heavy stations to address murder and other contact crimes.

“Over and above this additional funding, we are responding directly to calls by communities to increase the capability and training of the Tactical Response Teams (TRT). The TRT are being deployed at stations and districts in identified high crime areas.”

Cele says the SAPS is also enhancing specialised tracking teams, who will be trained further at provincial and district level to effectively track and apprehend offenders.

“The tracking teams will be instrumental in the success of Operation Shanela, where emphasis is also placed on executing arrest warrants.”

SAPS is also purchasing unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to better police from the sky.

“More drone pilots are also being licensed and drone pilot interns are being recruited. Body-worn cameras, as well as shot spotters in high-density crime areas, are being prioritised,” Cele said.