WHILE crime rates have decreased across the board during lockdown, Police Minister, Bheki Cele reported that there were over 118 000 people charged for contraventions of the lockdown regulations, by the end of the initial 21 day period.
Charges ranged from liquor related offences to illegal gatherings and failure to stay at home. Cele visited KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday to assess adherence to the lockdown regulations.
By comparing statistics from March/April 2019 to current stats a significant drop in crime rates has been noted.
“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,” said Cele.
Also read: Seven suspects nabbed with stolen liquor in Briardene
According to Cele’s report, there has been a 72 per cent decrease in murder, with 1 542 murders recorded in 2019 (29 March until 22 April) and 432 murders recorded during lockdown (27 March -20 April).
Robberies at residential homes has decreased by 53 per cent and Carjacking is down by 80,9 per cent. Rape cases have decreased by 87, 2 per cent and assault related to Gender Based Violence has decreased by 10 118 cases -85, 2 per cent, said Cele.
“The national picture reflects a decrease of 69,4 per cent from 9 990 cases between 29 March and 22 April last year to 3 061 since the lockdown until 20 April 2020, meaning a difference of 6 929,” he said.
Also read: Significant reduction in crime since nationwide lockdown
Alcohol consumption had played a role in some cases of GBV, he added.
“In two of these incidents, the murder was a result of an argument over liquor. In one incident the boyfriend refused to go out to buy liquor and in the other incident, the couple was under the influence of alcohol,” said Cele.
Cele confirmed that the alcohol ban will remain in place for the extended lockdown period.
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