Crime on the rise in Lim
Limpopo is one of two provinces in which crime has increased while all other provinces have shown a decrease, according to the crime statistics report.
POLOKWANE – The Minister of Police, Nkosinathi Nhleko, recently announced the crime statistics as reported between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016.
According to the statistics, crime in the country overall decreased between 2015 and 2016, with 2,1 million crimes reported in the 12 months measured compared with 2,206 million in the previous year.
However, Limpopo is one of two provinces in which crime has increased while all other provinces have shown a decrease, according to the crime statistics report.
Murder has increased by 121 cases – from 777 in 2015 to 898 in 2016.
Crimes such as common assault, sexual offences, murder, attempted murder, aggravated robbery and hi-jacking increased significantly.
Comparing last year’s statistics to this year, crimes in the three major categories, murder, sexual offences, and attempted murder, have all increased.
Contact crimes including murder, sexual assault, and attempted murder have gone up by 6,4% in Limpopo in the last year with an overall increase of 40 391 crimes reported, cases of attempted murder have increased by 82 cases from 793 in 2015 to 875 in 2016.
Most crimes in Limpopo are of a sexual nature and although this figure has decreased nationally, it has increased in Limpopo from 4 312 cases in 2015 to 4 396 in 2016.
Robbery with aggravating circumstances saw a 9,8% increase in the province while theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles saw a 16,5% increase.
DA Limpopo Spokesperson on Safety, Security and Liaison, Katlego Suzan Phala, says there is a need for a concerted effort to curb the emergence of a sense of lawlessness among the unruly elements of society, however, in the same breath, the DA welcomes initiatives such as the establishment of sexual offences courts that will ensure expeditious justice for victims of sexual offences. “There is an obligation to ensure the safety of our citizens and to protect them from the detriment crime causes to their well-being. Crime is an issue Limpopo should show zero tolerance towards and must thwart at all costs,” said Phala.
She added the provincial leadership needs to increase efforts of monitoring and overseeing of the police to ensure increased efficiency and effectiveness to help reduce the unacceptably high levels of crime.
“There is a need for more to be done to fight crime. We do not have to accept the high levels of crime. There is need for greater support for Community Policing Forums (CPF’s) and their improved co-operation with the police,” she said.
Official results for Limpopo will be released on Friday.
