Police Minister Gen Bheki Cele shared crime statistics at a media briefing in Durban earlier today.
“With just over a week left of the extended lockdown, the SAPS, SANDF, Provincial Traffic, Metro Police Departments and other law enforcement agencies have done well in terms of enforcing the regulations,” Cele said.
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He said members deployed during lockdown showed commitment and resilience to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Raids conducted saw illegal liquor outlets shut down and non-essential services such as mines, factories and other companies busted.
“Due to the lockdown, the heightened visibility, reinforced by the deployment of the SANDF and other variables such as the prohibition of the sale of liquor, we have seen a significant drop across most crime categories,” Cele said.
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He said a comprehensive statistical crime breakdown will be provided after lockdown.
“At this stage, we have compared crime for the period March 27 to April 20, this year to the same period in 2019.
“We welcome the decrease in especially contact crime and trio crimes. There was an 87.2 per cent decrease in the number of reported rape cases and an 85.2 per cent decrease in the number of cases involving assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“Additionally, the number of murder cases decreased by 72 per cent. A decrease of 80.9 per cent was recorded in the number of car hijacking cases while residential robberies decreased by 53.8 per cent.
“We have noted a remarkable decrease for domestic violence,” said Cele.
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“These include murder, attempted murder, rape and sexual assault.
“One of the challenges we have faced during the lockdown has been arresting members of the security forces, government officials and public office bearers and 131 members were arrested.
“They face a variety of charges relating to buying and selling liquor; corruption and defeating the ends of justice and organising gatherings in contravention of the regulations,” said Cele.
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