Crime stats: Drastic increase in rape and murder during second quarter

Police Minister Bheki Cele on Friday briefed Parliament’s police committee on the second quarter crime statistics.

The briefing also includes the July unrest currently under investigation by the South African Human Rights Commission.

The stats paint a bleak picture: all contact crimes such as rape, murder, and attempted murder have increased during the three-month review period.

Q2 Crime Stats:

Murder statistics

According to Major General Norman Sekhukhune, there was an increase of 1,056 murders compared to the same period last year.

The increase translates to a percentage change of 20.7%, with KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape having recorded the most murders nationally.

In addition, Minister Cele says 15 murders have occurred on farms or smallholdings during the second quarter – two more murders compared to 2020.

Looking back: Murder Q1 crime stats

An increase of 66.2% was reported, with 5,760 people killed between April and June 2021, which is 2,294 more than the previous financial year.

Murder, attempted murder, sexual offenses, and assault registered a 60.6% increase, compared to the corresponding period of the previous financial year, Cele said back in August 2021.

Most murders – 2,531 to be exact – occurred in public places, while 1,385 murders occurred at either the home of the victim or perpetrator.

Rape statistics

Rape increased by 7% during the three-month review period. And shockingly, over 13,000 of the assault cases were domestic violence-related.

In addition, Cele explained: “When the murder is still increasing that way, sexual offenses including rape increases, it cannot give much comfort whatever happens”.

On a positive note, Cele said says survivors will have access to Rape Kits. These will be made available at police stations as the kits are currently being distributed to GBV desks.

Looking back: Rape Q1 crime stats

In August 2021, Cele said 10,001 people were raped between April 2020 and June 2021, which is an increase of 4,201 cases (72.4%).

A sample of 5,439 rape cases revealed 3,766 of the rape incidents took place at the home of the victim or the rapist, while 487 cases were related to domestic violence.

Rape hotspots’ were identified as Inanda in KwaZulu-Natal, Delft in the Western Cape, and Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape.

Assualt and gender-based violence

Cases of assault increased across the board, and shockingly, more than 13,000 of these cases were classified as domestic violence.

Arguments among couples and family members were the motive for most assault cases.

Cele also said alcohol and drugs played a part in 3,695 cases of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH).

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