After the national crime statistics were released yesterday, 24 October, the City of Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba said he wants to turn the tide against crime in the city.
Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula released the South African police crime stats on 24 October, revealing a 1,8 per cent increase in murders, with 19 016 murders recorded in the 2016/2017 fiscal year. In Gauteng, murder increased by 6,7 per cent.
Mbalula said, “Over the past four years, murder has reflected an upward trend. Attempted murder also increased by 6,5 per cent in Gauteng.
Mashaba said though crime remains the competency of national government and the South African police, the City will do all it can to increase crime prevention effort. He said there has been a focus on increased visible policing, with the re-launching of Metro police’s Narcotics and Tactical K9 Unit.
The unit has arrested 195 people for possession of drugs, 205 people for being in the possession of a stolen motor vehicle, 46 people for hijacking and 39 people for the possession of an unlicensed firearm.
“In the last quarter alone, the City has recovered 73 hijacked vehicles so far.”
Mashaba said crimes like business and residential burglaries and motor vehicle theft have decreased within the first quarter of this fiscal year.
Statistics on assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm and common assault have, however, increased, he said.
“We have invested in appointing an additional 1500 JMPD trainees who will be a much-needed resource for our force to ensure that we gradually win the fight against criminals on our streets.”
In the coming year, the mayor said he will try to raise support for a change in local policing, so that local policing units like Metro police will have their powers and capacity further strengthened.
“I want to see the JMPD more closely linked to the criminal justice system, with access to its own detention facilities so that when a criminal is arrested, they aren’t back on the street before the end of the day.
“I want to see our municipal courts functioning optimally with competent legal professionals ensuring the rule of law is observed.”
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