This is according to the quarterly crime statistics released by the South African Police Service. The stats reflect crimes that occurred from April 1 to the end of June 2021. Burglaries at non-residential premises increased by 40%, while burglaries at residential premises stand at 150%. In the last quarter, which showed crimes that occurred from January 1 to the end of March 2021 robberies in residential areas were at 55.6%.
The chairperson of Hoedspruit Town Watch, Victor Swan had previously urged community members to join efforts to fight crime in the area. He also urged community members to look after each other and be active community members. He requested all residents to report criminal activities to the police.
“We have to report all crime, we cannot fight something that we are not aware of. The first step is always to open a case at the SAPS. If you do not open a case, you actually support those criminals because the SAPS cannot investigate and apprehend criminals unless somebody reported the crime,” Swan said.
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Theft out of or from motor vehicle also increased and currently stand at 100%. Murder and attempted murder cases in Hoedspruit also showed an increase as well as assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm which stands at 275%. During the release of the crime stats, the police minister Bheki Cele said between April 2021 to end of June 2021, 5 760 people were killed in South Africa. “This is 2 294 more people killed compared to the corresponding period in the previous financial year.
Compared to a period without Lockdown, it would result in an increase of 362 more deaths,” said Cele. Common assault, common robbery and robbery with aggravating circumstances are also on the high in Hoedspruit. A positive in the crime stats is the decrease in the number of rape cases by 20% and sexual assault which decreased by 100%. Minister Cele said 10 006 people were raped in South Africa between April and June 2021.
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He said this is an increase of 4 201 cases, amounting to a 72.4% increase, compared to the skewed previous reporting period. “This number drops drastically to 2.8% if the comparison was made to the normal period prior to lockdown. A sample of 5 439 rape cases revealed that 3 766 of the rape incidents took place at the home of the victim or the home of the rapist. Some 487 rape cases were domestic violence-related.” He said Covid-19 has had a hard impact on the police.
He said the police service is bleeding members through attrition, and the virus has resulted in the inability to take in new police recruits for 2020 and 2021. “The virus has also meant scores of police stations have had to close due to contamination. This virus has infected over 38 000 members. Sadly 821 of our colleagues have perished due to this virus, including our Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Sindile Mfazi who passed away last month,” he said.
Cele said they are appreciative that over 50% of their members have been vaccinated. He made a call for all of their members to avail themselves. He encouraged officers and support personnel staff of all ages to vaccinate at the Department of Health vaccination sites and registered pharmacies due to SAPS vaccination sites being closed. “But with these realities that face the SAPS, complacency just can’t be tolerated. The ‘Crime Holiday’ is long gone and these figures should action us and strengthen our resolve. The figures, as distorted as they are, must also sharpen the SAPS operational responses to make South Africa safer for all who live in it.”
