Drug-related crime increases in Durban North during Covid-19

WHILE crime rates have dropped in most crime categories, Durban North SAPS has recorded a 50 per cent increase in drug-related crime.

This according to the quarterly crime statistics released by the SAPS after Police Minister, General Bheki Cele’s address on Friday.

These statistics reflect crimes that occurred between 1 April and 30 June this year, when the country was placed under lockdown at level 5, 4 and 3 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Also read: Crime stats: Sexual assault cases increase

Drug-related crimes increased from 10 cases in 2019 to 15 cases in 2020 across Durban North, although the nation-wide alcohol ban saw contact crimes plummet by 37.4 per cent, said Cele.

“This means there were 53 891 less cases of murder, attempted murder, assault GBH, common robbery and common assault reported, “said Cele.

In Durban North,  robbery with aggravating circumstances plummeted by 71. 4 per cent with 12 cases recorded in 2020 compared to 42 cases in 2019.

Common assault in the area is down by 58.5 per cent and assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm has dropped by 57.1 per cent.

“The statistics we release today paint a never-before seen, rosy picture of peaceful South Africa experiencing a crime holiday,” said Cele, commenting on the national statistics.

Sexual offences overall in Durban North have decreased by 40 per cent from five cases in 2019 to three cases in 2020.

Rape has decreased by 66.7 per cent from three cases in 2019 to one case in 2020.

This follows the trend, nationally as level 4 and 5 of the lockdown reflect a decrease in crimes against women and children.

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“However the low number of  sexual abuse and domestic offenses could have been due to some women not being able to  escape their abusers to report crimes. In this regard, the SAPS will continue to monitor the reporting of such cases and verify if the reduction was a result of non-reorting due to lockdown. This will be done by  comparing the reporting dates with the date on which the crime was committed,” said Cele.

There have been no cases of stock theft, arson, bank robbery or murder in Durban North between April to June this year.

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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.

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