By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa recorded almost 84 murders daily between October and December, a 2% increase over the same period in 2022, according to police statistics released Friday.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said that murders in the third quarter of the 2023/24 year (October to December 2023) increased by 2.1%, leading to 155 more murders compared to Q3 2022/23.
Cele released the crime statistics for the third quarter on Friday morning.
The minister said that arguments, misunderstanding and road rage were the main reasons for the killings.
“It is also concerning that of the 268 gang-related murders, 250 of these murders were reported in the Western Cape,” Cele said.
431 murders were linked to vigilantism and mob justice attacks, Gauteng registered the highest with 84, followed by the Eastern Cape with 80 and KwaZulu-Natal with 78.
The SAPS recorded a total of 7,710 murders over the period, meaning an average of 84 people were murdered every day in Q3.
The third quarter data gives the final tally for the 2023 calendar year as well, with the country ultimately recording 27,368 murders between January and December 2023 – an average of 75 murders per day.
The minister said that police stations that are hotspots for more murders will be sent additional resources to try and combat the rising crime levels.
The Eastern Cape (-2.7%), Free State (-2.2%) and KwaZulu-Natal (-9.4%) all saw a decline in the number of murders, while the Northern Cape saw no year-on-year change and remains the province with the fewest cases.
The five other provinces all saw an increase, with Mpumlanaga seeing a massive 41.6% increase from the prior year. The North-West saw an 11.7%, with Limpop not far behind on a 9.5% increase.
The Western Cape also saw an 8.9% increase, and the country’s richest province, Gauteng, saw a 3.8% increase.
Looking at other violent crimes over the third quarter, attempted murder increased by 13.0% from the prior period – rising from 7,016 to 7,927.
Assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily (5.8%), common assault (0.4%), common robbery (3.9%) and robbery with aggravating circumstances (6.6%) all increased.
Overall, contact crime (crimes against the person) increased by 3.8% compared to the prior period.
Sexual offences (-11.0%), including rape (-1.7%), decreased compared to the prior period. That said, attempted sexual offences increased by 1.3%. Concerningly, the majority of rapes took place at the victim’s place of residence.
Cash-in-transit robberies also dropped, and 46 CITs took place – 11 less than the prior period.
Cele hailed the placement of “specialised teams”, saying they were “yielding results in ensuring we see a reduction in the number of CIT armed robberies”.
“In the past year, more than 75 wanted CIT suspects have been arrested during takedown operations.
“High-calibre firearms, including rifles and AK47s, as well as high-performance vehicles used in the commission of these crimes, were seized.”
However, carjackings also increased by 6.5% from 5,608 to 5,973.
On construction mafia crimes, Cele said SAPS continues to deal decisively with this crime category.
He said construction mafias continue to pose a threat to business and the economy of the country.
“From April to date, more than 61 suspects linked to these extortions were arrested. Since 2019, 27 accused were convicted for a collective 43 years direct imprisonment,” Cele said.