Murder, rape, assault, hijackings and robbery cases have dropped significantly during the nationwide lockdown, police minister Bheki Cele said on Sunday.
This was partly because of the prohibition of the sale of liquor during the 21-day lockdown that started last Friday.
“Murder cases dropped from 326 to 94; rape cases dropped from 699 to 101; cases of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm dropped from 2,673 to 456; and trio crimes dropped from 8,853 to 2,098,” Cele said in a statement.
Hijackings and business and house robberies are collectively grouped as “trio crimes”.