Gauteng’s latest crime statistics show there is nothing to celebrate despite “all our efforts”, said disheartened provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela.
The third-quarter stats, released on Tuesday, painted a grim picture, with serious crimes rising by 7.1% and contributing 27.1% to the country’s overall figures.
Mawela presented the statistics for October to December 2022 to the Gauteng legislature's community safety portfolio committee, saying they showed “there is something broken within the SA Police Service”.
Contact crimes went up by 8.3%, with attempted murder up by 16.3%, common robbery by 15.1% and murder by 9.6%.
Overall, 50,039 contact crimes were recorded.
The leading causes of murder were arguments, misunderstandings, road rage and mob justice or vigilantism. In public places, 780 incidents occurred, followed by those at the victim, suspect or neighbour’s places of residence.
Sexual offences went up by 3.7%, with attempted sexual offences seeing the biggest jump at 26.8% and rape increasing by 4.9%. Contact sexual offences decreased by 28.1%.
An overwhelming number of rapes (966) happened at the homes of perpetrators or victims.
Other serious crimes went up by 10.4%, with kidnapping increasing by an astounding 64.5%. Most were for ransom (76), while 10 related to extortion and six involved human trafficking. Trio crimes, which include commercial crimes and shoplifting, went down by 0.1%, while contact-related crimes decreased by 2.6%.
Speaking to the media after his presentation, Mawela said he was disheartened that the statistics showed “we did not do well”.
“Actually, it is our wish to come and report a 0% [increase], but we know it’s impossible for us to do that. It is worrying. You must also remember that behind each and every number we spoke about, there is the name of a victim. So we can't celebrate anything here. We can't be happy about anything.
“Crime affects our people and we are worried about that, but we commit to ... do our best. You'll forever see us on the road, day and night in the street, because we are worried about the wellbeing of our people.”
Mawela also touched on gender-based violence (GBV), the progress of police interventions in Westbury, Gauteng's plans for the upcoming shutdown and clamping down on illegal firearms.
Gender-based violence
Speaking on the worrying increase in GBV cases, he said police recognised it is a serious problem.
The murder of women increased by 47.9% in the three-month period, while attempted murder went up by 23.5%.
Assault GBH saw a 2.7% increase and common assault went up by 9.6%. The overall contact crimes against women increased by 8.6%.
“This issue of 'we forgive and forgive and forgive', ultimately you'll forgive a person who will one day kill you. If it is time to say 'it ends here' ... let us also be bold enough to say [that too].”
Westbury
Giving an update on gang violence-ridden Westbury and neighbouring Eldorado Park, Mawela said police were happy with the “three-layered strategy” in place to tackle crime in both areas.
This issue of 'we forgive and forgive and forgive', ultimately you'll forgive a person who will one day kill you. If it is time to say 'it ends here' ... let us also be bold enough to say [that too]
This included contact between the areas' station commanders and district commissioners, mobilising the anti-gang unit, tactical response team and public order policing to help stabilise the areas and involving other stakeholders to help deal with wider issues plaguing the communities.
“We are happy with what they have achieved thus far. Ever since we put interventions [in place in early March], I think [there has only been one incident in Westbury].
“We must also remember the stabilisation phase is not a permanent measure. We need to stabilise the area and for other government departments to come in and normalise the situation.”
National shutdown
Mawela sternly warned those planning disruptions during the EFF's planned national shutdown on Monday that police had learnt their lesson from the 2021 unrest and would be deployed to “every corner” of the province.
He earlier said police were prepared for the coming march and would be on the ground beforehand.
“I want to send a very strong warning to those who'll be participating in this shutdown — that while you are having the right to protest, do it within the ambit of the law. Your rights are also limited.
“Anyone who dares to participate in that shutdown outside the ambit of the law, we'll be there to deal with them. Those who break the law will find us there and they will be dealt with,” he promised.
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