Lentswe, Stilfontein - SAPS and the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management announced the latest crime stats for the province at a media briefing session on Wednesday March 5. The period is for the last quarter of 2024.
During this period, there was a general decrease in crime in the province and recorded 26 999 cases which are over 1 100 cases less than for the corresponding period the previous year. This translates into a 3.9% percent decrease.
MEC Wessels Morweng said there are areas where SAPS needed to intensify operations.
“Not surprisingly one of these is in the area of illegal mining. As had been emphasised before, illegal mining is costing the economy of the country well over R70 billion annually in gold mining alone. Added to this, illegal mining has other causal ramifications with sinkholes the common immediate detriment.’’
For the reporting period there is a 2.5% decrease on the contact crimes, 10.5% decrease on property related crimes and a 2.2% on other serious crimes category.
Even though there was a general decrease in crime, contact related crimes increased by 2.3%.
Malicious damage to property contributed most cases which is 1 969 cases.
This is 48 more cases compared to the previous year, and shows a 2.5% increase.
Dr Kenneth Kaunda District is a provincial hotspot for illegal mining, sexual offences and all assaults. The district has both operational and non-operational gold mines which contributes to the problem of illegal mining and associated crimes.
This district also has a challenge of gangs, which are often involved in crimes such as rape, robberies, murder, assaults and drugs particularly in the Matlosana Local Municipality.
Although murder cases went down by 48,14% compared to the previous year, Kanana in Orkney reported more cases.
There have been ten multiple murder cases resulting in 24 deaths.
The Province has recorded 146 rape cases less than the previous reporting period which is a decrease of 14.3%. Despite this decrease, Mmabatho has recorded more rape cases than the previous year for the same period.
Dr Kenneth Kaunda, however, still remains the provincial hotspot for rape cases.
