Police minister 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.
“Sexual offenses and contact crimes, have, however, decreased nationally.”
In Gauteng, contact crimes decreased by 0.8 per cent, while cases of sexual assault increased by 5.2 per cent.
https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/922739055980437505
https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/922733362254622721
“Property related theft in Gauteng increased by 2.5 per cent. Stock theft increased by 20.7 per cent.”
The minister said drugs, firearms and alcohol were found to be prevalent crimes.
“This needs multi-sectoral attention. This shows the dependency of such substances as motivation to commit crimes, property-related crime in particular.”
Robbery with aggravating circumstances has also increased countrywide by 6.4 per cent.
The overall murder trend over the past 10 years shows a decrease since 2007, but in 2012 it started to increase.
“I am aware that crime involves high emotions. Behind the numbers are real feelings, real lives, real hurt, real harm and real losses.”
Ultimately, Mbalula said, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal need more police action.
ALSO READ: Windsor East resident tired of theft
