Police have been told to make sure that crime comes down to at least 4% and 7% every year.
For the first time in 20 years, South Africa’s murder rate increased for two consecutive years.
This is according to statistics released by the Institute for Security Studies and Africa Check (ISSAC) released yesterday.
In the 2012/13 financial year, police recorded 16 259 murders.
In 2013/14, 17 068 murders were registered. That’s an increase of 809 over the previous year.
For many South Africans crime isn’t just some statistic, but a sad reality.
The rich and famous aren’t safe either.
Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was brutally murdered by alleged robbers, and ANC MP Jackson Mthembu was shot in the face.
Statistics show that the rate of street robberies has come down, but hijackings, house breakings and business robberies have increased.
Comparison of crime in SA Between the 2012/13 and 2013/14 financial year:
- Murders per 100 000 people increased from 31,1% in 2012/13 to 32,2% in 2013/14
- Sexual offences per 100 000 people decreased from 127 in 2012/13 to 118,2%, which is 172 reported cases per day
- House robberies increased in the number of incidents reported from 17 950 in 2012/13 to 19 284
- Bank robberies have increased in number of reported incidents from seven (7) in 2012/13 to 21 in 2013/14
- Car hijacking increased in the number of incidents reported from 9 990 in 2012/13 to 11 221 in 2013/14
Johan Burger of the institute said: “While the number of assault cases had gone down, this doesn’t reflect what’s really going on.
“The decrease was a result of cases not being reported or the police deciding not to report and open cases.
“Its always important for cases of assault to be recorded for stats, so that it is known whether the rate is increasing or decreasing.”
@ScoobieW
