MEC releases crime stats
Cash -in-transit heists have increased by 55.6 per cent.
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, released the provincial crime statistics last Tuesday.
According to Mr Shongwe, the province recorded 101 116 cases of serious crime.
Murder and robbery have risen by 3.1 per cent with 831 cases reported and 7.7 per cent with 5656 new cases reported respectively, while both assault with grievous bodily harm (GBH) and common assault have increased by 0,6 per cent.
Mob justice has since been discovered as one of the contributors to the increase in murder cases in the province.
Mr Shongwe said that sexual cases have decreased by 8.5 per cent. He added that this was just the beginning of the improvement, as they have already put in place strategies such as the strengthening of existing campaigns on domestic violence and gender-based violence.
“It should be noted that attempted murder and common robbery have decreased by 8.0 per cent and 1.4 per cent respectively. We have also observed that most contact crimes happen during weekends and are also linked to the use of alcohol, hence this department will continue with the Overall Friday operations and will monitor liquor traders’ compliance,” said Mr Shongwe.
During this period, cash -in-transit heists have increased by 55.6 per cent, while car jacking increased by 41,8 per cent.
The MEC also spoke harshly about damages to municipal buildings.
He said 5 839 new cases of malicious damage to property were opened and 291 cases of arson were recorded.
“I must emphasise, ladies and gentleman, that these damages cost government a lot of money and hinder service delivery.
We plead with communities not to vent their anger on government buildings when protesting, but to do so peacefully without violence,” he said.
Property related crimes including business burglary, residential, theft of motor vehicles and stock theft have also increased.
A 4.7 per cent increase in burglary in foreign owned businesses who keep assets in their businesses was also recorded. Cellphones, cigarettes and airtime vouchers are some of the goods that attract criminals.
Communities were urged to work with Community Policing Forums (CPFs) so as to develop strategies to prevent crime in their area.
The MEC also took time to send condolences to those who lost their loved ones through various crimes and those who survived.
He also welcomed the 8 per cent budget increase for detectives.
He thanked all the police members for their continued effort to protect communities and shared their slogan: “Wabulala iphoyisa, wabulala umphakathi” (the killing of police officers is the same as killing the community).
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