CRIME OVERVIEW

An overview of South Africa’s latest National Police Crime Statistics

Certain categories of violent crime in South Africa showed an alarming increase in the last quarter of 2020, according to Police Minister General Bheki Cele.

In his speech ahead of the release of the country’s crime statistics for the period October to December 2020 1 on 19 February 2021, Cele noted that cash-in-transit (CIT) heists had increased by 66,7%, while the murder rate shot up by 6.6%, trio crimes (carjacking, house robbery, business robbery) by 7%, and rape by 5%.

There was some good news in that property-related crimes decreased by 15.8%, stock theft by 6.9%, the theft of vehicles and motorcycles by more than 20% and burglary at residential and non-residential premises “had declined drastically”.

Murder

The 6.6% increase in the murder rate translated to 389 more people killed compared to the corresponding period in the previous financial year. Mpumalanga province recorded the highest increase of 13,7% while Limpopo, North West and Northern Cape provinces recorded a decline. The top four causative factors were arguments, home and business robberies, mob justice incidents and gang-related killings. Further, he noted, 2 481 people were murdered in public places such as streets, open fields, parking areas and abandoned buildings. “The second most likely place for murder to occur is at the home of the victim or of the perpetrator,” he continued, adding that liquor outlets were the third most likely place to be killed at in South Africa.

Rape and gender-based violence

The 5% increase in rape translated to 12 218 victims, he said, with more than 4 900 incidents occurring at either the home of the victim or the home of the rapist. Inanda, Umlazi in Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Eastern Cape’s Lusikisiki police stations recorded the highest incidents of rape.

Regarding GBV, Cele said that 129 perpetrators had been given life sentences during the three months of reporting.

Farm attacks

Nineteen people were killed on farms and smallholdings during the last quarter of 2020.

Assault

“Assault figures show that violence stalks our society and, in many cases, the violence is aggravated by alcohol abuse,” Cele said, noting that 50 124 cases of assault were opened with the police during the three months of reporting.

Trio crimes

The “crimes feared most by South Africans” increased, he said, with 77 more residential robberies in the period of October to December 2020 than during the same period in the previous year. However, there was some relief for business owners: 374 less businesses were robbed during this period. “Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the country’s trucking industry,” he continued, with delivery vans and trucks being increasingly targeted. “The majority of the vehicles, including courier vans, were targeted for their cargo, which is usually food, appliances and other priced goods.”

CIT attacks

The current plans in place were not working, he said, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) had to change its responses to CIT robberies. To this end, he gave the assurance that the police would shortly be meeting with leaders in the CIT industry.

Covid-19 impact

“The impact of the pandemic has been widely documented, as well as the effect that Covid-19 continues to have on our healthcare system, our economy and our livelihoods,” Cele said, adding that the pandemic was also impacting on policing, infecting over 27 000 members and claiming the lives of 570. “At the same time, we remain encouraged that over 25 000 of our members have recovered and are back at work, serving their communities. While some of our members fight for their lives, others continue their fight against ruthless criminals, each day.”

In closing Cele said: “The National Crime Statistics from October to December 2020 do not paint a good picture… amidst the pandemic, we cannot, as the SAPS, afford to let our guard down.

We MUST and we WILL do more to turn this crime picture around. I remain concerned about the Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces which, as these stats show, are regressing in their fight against crime. These two provinces, together with the Free State and the Western Cape, all recorded over 10% increases in the crime of murder. As the Police Ministry and Police management, we have taken a decision to have operational oversight in these four provinces and monitor them closely. We expect a turnaround plan to be adopted and executed urgently and effectively. Failure to do so must result in consequences.”

1. https://www.saps.gov.za/services/october_to_ december_2020_21_crimestats.pdf

Overview of Q3 2020 Crime Statistics

Murder 6.6%

Sexual Offences 1.8%

Attempted murder 8.7%

Assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm 1.4%

Common assault 0.6%

Common robbery -12.6%

Robbery with aggravating circumstances -7.4%

Rape 1.5%

Sexual assault 4.5%

Carjacking 7.4%

Robbery at residential premises 1.3%

Robbery at non-residential premises -6.9%

%Robbery of Cash-In-Transit 66.7%

Bank robbery– 1 case

Truck hijacking 34.2%Arson -4.2%

Malicious damage to property 1.5%

Burglary at non-residential premises -9.5%

Burglary at residential premises -17.2%

Theft of motor vehicle and motorcycle -20.2%

Theft out or from motor vehicle -6.9%

Stock theft -6.8%