Crime stats show spike in murder cases across Highway area

WITH the release of South Africa’s crime stats today, the numbers showed an increase in murder cases across three of four of the Highway area’s police stations as well as a drastic increase in the number of attempted murder cases.

The Police Minister, General Bheki Cele, said, during the annual crime statistics speech, that KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of murders of all nine provinces and that there was a 10.6 per cent increase in murders during the last year.

“KZN also recorded an increase in sexual offences and trio crimes. Operational interventions are in place to stabilise KZN; including strengthening the resources under Operation Vala in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Cele.

Hillcrest:

Murder in the Hillcrest area decreased from 45 to 38 cases while attempted murder increased by 73.70 per cent from 19 to 33.

Rape decreased by 25.40 per cent from 67 to 50 reported cases.

Carjacking cases dropped from 12 to 10, with a percentage decrease of 16.70 per cent.

Robbery at a residential premises decreased by 34.60 per cent from 107 reported cases to 70 while burglary at a residential premises decreased by 25.70 per cent, from 947 cases to 704 cases.

Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition increased from 26 to 41, a jump of 57.70 per cent.

ALSO READ: Men linked to Durban robberies nabbed in Pinetown with firearms

Mariannhill

Murder cases increased in Mariannhill by 4.20 per cent, from 96 to 100 while attempted murder saw an increase of 12.90 per cent, from 124 cases to 140 cases.

Rape increased by 3.80 per cent, from 78 reported cases to 81 cases.

Carjacking decreased by 13.40 per cent, from 134 cases to 116 cases while robbery at a residential premises increased by 24.10 per cent, from 79 cases to 98 cases.

Burglary at a residential premises decreased from 531 to 444, a drop of 16.40 per cent.

There was an 8.10 per cent increase in illegal possession of firearm and ammunition cases. It increased from 37 cases to 40 cases.

Pinetown:

Murder increased from 31 reported to 44 cases, an increase of 41.90 per cent. Attempted murder saw an increase of 38.90 per cent, from 36 cases to 50 reported cases.

Rape cases decreases by 16 per cent, from 50 to 42.

Carjacking increased by 33 per cent, from 91 cases to 121 cases.

Robbery at a residential premises increased from 26.50 per cent from 136 cases to 172 cases while burglary at a residential premises decreased from 878 cases to 757 cases, a drop of 13, 80 per cent.

There was a 230 per cent spike in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition cases in the last year, from 10 to 33 cases.

ALSO READ: Man arrested in Pinetown for targeting delivery vehicles

Westville:

Murder increased by 100 per cent from two to four cases while attempted murder increased by 150 per cent, from six cases to 15 reported cases.

Rape cases saw a decrease of 16 per cent, from 25 to 21.

Carjacking increased by 91.70 per cent, from 12 cases to 23.

Robbery at a residential premises increased by 46.50 per cent, from 43 cases to 63 cases while burglary at a residential premises decreased from 300 cases to 261 reported cases, a drop of 13 per cent.

There was a zero per cent increase in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition cases in the Westville area, with two cases in 2018/2019 and two cases in 2019/2020.

“While businesses, schools, places of worship and many other public spaces were forced to close or scale down operations due to Covid-19. The same cannot be said for criminal syndicates, rapists, drug cartels, gangsters, hijackers, murderers and burglars. Hence, the South African Police Service, throughout the pandemic and beyond continues to endeavour to safeguard the country as per our constitutional mandate,” said Cele.

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