POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe accompanied by the MEC for Transport and Community Safety Ms F Radzilani and the SAPS Management, released the Crime Statistics for the First-Quarter of the financial year 2023/2024.
The briefing was held in the Provincial Commissioner’s Boardroom 2nd floor Landbank Building on Thursday 24 August 2023 at 09:00.
The main purpose of sharing the crime statistics is to provide the public, law enforcement agencies and stakeholders with accurate and up-to-date information about prevalence, trends, and patterns of criminal activities within the specific areas. This also helps in making informed decisions related to public safety, resource allocation and crime prevention strategies.
In attendance, was also HOD for Transport and Community Safety, Mr Steve Matjena, the Chief Director of Transport Regulations, Ms J Mulaudzi, Chairperson of the Provincial CPF board, Mr Frans Kgasago, Provincial Community Prosecutor Advocate MF Tshwane,Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Corporate Services Major General Christina Moralakadi, Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection Major General Samuel Manala, the District Commissioner of Capricorn Major General Lesiba Mashilo, the District Commissioner of Mopani Major General Willy Mashava, Sekhukhune District Commissioner Major General Junior Lehabe-Metsi and the District Commissioner of Vhembe Major General Eddie Van Der Walt , the Provincial Heads, Popcru and Sapu representative, Members of the Junior Core, Junior Provincial Commissioner Ms Eveline Mafani, Chairperson of the Youth Crime Prevention Mr KabeloMachethe and other stakeholders.
The attendees were welcomed by Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection Major General Samuel Manala.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe highlighted that the presentation is based on the period from 1st April 2023 to 31st June 2023 as compared to the same period the previous financial year.
The General further indicated that in the last briefing, vigilantism was one of the highest contributors of murder cases in the Province. That today, she is pleased to report that since then, they have noticed a significant decline in a number of murder cases resulting from vigilantism and that has contributed immensely to the decrease in the number of murder cases recorded. Moreover, she expressed her gratitude to all the members of the SAPS in the Province and various stakeholders that continue to tirelessly ensure that the citizens of this province feel safe and secure.
The Provincial Commissioner then continued with her presentation as follows:
MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER
In the period under review, there is a recorded 10% decrease in murder cases which is 22 cases less as compared to the previous quarter. Out of the 197 case reported, 24 were as a result vigilantism and 39 emanating from argument/misunderstanding or provocations. In the pursued of tracking down perpetrators, 120 suspects were arrested for murder.
On the other hand, attempted murder decreased by 7.5% with 74 suspects arrested. This was achieved through community engagements, behavioural and moral regeneration campaigns, and intensified targeted policing.
SEXUAL OFFENCES AND RAPE
There is a recorded decrease of 0.1% in sexual offences and a decrease of 4.0% in rape cases with 189 suspects arrested. We have noted with concern that most of these cases occur in victim or suspect’s house thereby making these familiar places the hotspots. I therefore urge the community to be vigilant at all times because no place is deemed to be safe at this time.
ROBBERY AND CARHIJACKING
A recorded decrease of 28, 6 % in robbery at residential places with 44 suspects arrested, 24% in robbery at non-residential premises with 42 suspects arrested, 9.5 % in robbery with aggravating circumstances with 47 suspects arrested. Although we collected an increase of 9 cases when it comes to highjacking, we manage to decrease the trio family crime by 21, 3%.
In addition, we have recorded a significant decrease in a number of categories. Property crimes have decreased by 6.0% with stock theft decreasing by 7.1% with 21 suspects arrested. We still urge livestock owners to brand their animals and also establish committees that will monitor the movement and sale of livestock in the community including the auctions because most of these animals are sold at auctions across the country. We also welcome an overall decrease of 1.8% in contact crimes. This is a sign that we are moving in the right direction. In total, we recorded a 0.4 decrease in the 17 community reported crimes.
FIREARMS AND DRUG RELATED CASES
A 41, 6 % increase in the number of crimes detected as a result of Police actions. We have managed to increase the number of arrests for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition by 64, 9%. 160 suspects were arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and 147 firearms and 1410 ammunition were recovered.
A total of 1733 suspects arrested for drug related crimes which is a 38.5% increase as compared to the same period last year. Moreover, we arrested 851 suspects for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and recorded an increase of 24.8%, 12 illicit drugs operations were conducted and 31 suspects arrested that included 11 South Africans and 20 illegal immigrants. Most of these successes can be attributed to the potent weekly high density “Operation Shanela” also known as “Operation Kukula” in Limpopo, which is conducted in the top 30 stations across the Province.
Moreover, 28 illegal mining operations were conducted during the period under review and 129 suspects that include 65 South Africans and 64 foreign nationals were arrested, and equipment worth 3.4 million rands were confiscated. Above all, we arrested 3524 illegal immigrants, 1656 suspects of assault GBH, 1294 of assault common, 7 of cash in transit robberies, 136 of business burglaries, 244 of burglary at residential places, 14 of theft of motor vehicles, 37 of theft out of or from motor vehicle, 5246 of drinking in public, 587 of illegal dealing of liquor and 4 for carjacking.
We also confiscated 47 stolen motor vehicles, 436 knives, 21 pangas, 83 817 grams of dagga, 2845 grams of crystal meth and 407 grams of Nyaope.
These are some of the successes we achieved in the period of reporting. We are focusing all our resources to where they are needed the most in order to achieve better results, “concluded Liutentenat General Hadebe.
The Provincial Head of Crime Registrar Brigadier Molema proceeded and unpacked a detailed Crime Statistics report.
The MEC for Transport and Community Safety Ms Florence Radzilani in her remarks thanked the SAPS leadership in the province for steering the ship of fighting crime with determination and commitment. She further encouraged the management to work as a team and focus on the common goal of providing safety and security for the citizens of this province. In conclusion, she said it’s high time we walk the talk and let the record speak for itself. That they will also continue with their part of providing support to the work of the Police by ensuring that structures such as Community Police Forums and Community Safety Forums are always intact and functional.
During questions and clarification from the media houses, several questions including, police take on the new Limpopo Liquor Act and cases of rape and sexual offences which are still prevalent in areas including Thohoyandou and Giyani, seeking clarification in terms of SAPS intervention Strategies.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe responded to the concerns accordingly also pointing out they have already established specialised units to deal with serious cases and intensified their operations to address crime especially in hotspot areas. That the duty of the police is to ensure compliance when it comes to the new passed Liquor Act.
The District Commissioners of Capricorn, Mopani and Vhembe also came on board and assured the public that they are working very hard and closely with various stakeholders to deal with crime trends and improve the crime picture in their respective districts.
Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Corporate Services Major General Christine Morakaladi closed the program by rendering the Vote of thanks.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48015.
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