“The rate of unnatural deaths as a result of violence is a cause for serious concern for the country in general, and the Gauteng province in particular.”
He said accident and emergency departments in state hospitals were busiest at month-end, with a high number of gunshot wound, stabbing and motor vehicle accident patients treated.
“One of the contributing factors is the high level of alcohol consumption, which leads to violence and reckless driving,” said Masuku.
In addition to gunshots, car accidents and stabbings, there were 1,183 deaths as a result of assaults, 1,022 due to anaesthetics and 970 cases of hanging.
Six months into the 2019 financial year, the province recorded 1,359 gunshot cases, 947 car crashes and 665 stabbings.