The City of Stars might not be as safe as many of its residents assumed considering that the Limpopo crime statistics released by Provincial Police Commissioner Nneke Ledwaba recently revealed Polokwane to be topping the list of 30 stations having reported most cases in the category for 17 community-reported crimes, including contact crimes, the past financial year.
The statistics are divided into two categories of 17 community-reported crimes and crimes detected as a result of Police action. The first category includes murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, assault, robbery, arson and theft while the second category relates to drug-related crimes, possession of unlicensed firearms and drunken driving.
A total of 6 274 community-reported cases were registered in Polokwane with further shocking statistics of
6 206 and 5 109 cases reported at the neighbouring stations of Seshego and Mankweng respectively earning them second and third position on the list.
When categorised into lists of top 10 stations where the most respective crimes were reported, Polokwane once again featured in some of the top positions. For contact crimes which consist of murder, sexual offences, attempted murder, assault, robbery and aggravated robbery among others, Polokwane scored 1 137 reported cases and a fifth place on the list while Mankweng and Seshego claimed the top positions. Most murder cases were reported in Thohoyandou with Seshego and Mankweng once again under the top three.
When the categories are further sub categorised Mankweng had the most cases of sexual offences and rape in the province and Seshego the most reported cases of sexual assault being reported. Polokwane was located fourth of the list of sexual assault.
In the sub-category of common robbery Mankweng and Seshego once again topped the list followed by Polokwane in third position. Polokwane was also third in the sub-category for robbery with aggravated circumstances.
Limpopo showed an overall decrease in most crime categories and did fairly well compared to other provinces. “We are happy with the decrease in most crimes, but one incident is still one too many. The decrease will definitely motivate members in blue to continue their effort in fighting crime,” Ledwaba said.
Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing Jan Scheepers said that continuous operations are conducted across the province on a regular basis. “As soon as we notice an increase of crime in a certain area we immediately conduct an operation to address the problem. We also started to engage with the farming communities to address the issue of rural safety and farm attacks,” Scheepers said.
He issued a warning that the Police will be out in full force during the Festive Season and that visibility will be increased drastically.
Ledwaba concluded urging people to assist the Police by joining community structures such as the CPF to work together in fighting crime.
Story & photo: RC Myburgh
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