Local security groups discuss whether violent crime in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs has increased, like they generally did nationally.
National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega and Minister of Police Nkosinathi Nhleko announced on 19 September that most violent crimes had increased nationally in the 2013/2014 financial year, compared to the previous year.
Murder was up by 5 per cent, attempted murder up by 4.6 per cent, assault with intent to cause grieveous bodily harm up by 1.5 per cent, robbery with aggravated circumstances up by 12.7 per cent, common assault down by 3.3 per cent and sexual offences down by 5.6 per cent.
Security in Practice CEO Louis Grobler says that according to his information, violent crimes have indeed risen in Johannesburg’s northern subusrbs. However, he says that about 51 per cent of incidents are not reported, often due to poor service from police or distrust of the police. “The standard of policing could improve,” he added.
Linden Neighbourhood Watch, which monitors Linden Sector 2, has not seen the same rise in violent crimes. Its chairperson and operations manager Fareed Hoosen says that violent street robberies have risen in the area but other violent crimes have not. In fact, most violent crimes in the area have decreased, he says.
Community Support Services, which monitors the Honeydew and Linden Police precincts, has a rise in violent crimes in its area. “We know crime is up, especially violent crime,” says the company’s CEO Greg Pearce. “[The national statistics] are in line with what we saw.”
Londoloza Protection Group Strategic Business Coordinator Jono Rudolph says that within the Honeydew Police’s precinct, violent crimes have generally risen. However, violent crime toward its members within the precinct is stable, and decreasing slightly in some areas.
Details: Security in Practice 011 079 6969; Linden Neighbourhood Watch 076 413 7184; Community Support Services 011 791 7917; Londoloza Protection Group 086 156 6365.
