CRIME STATS: Murder drops 5.9%, but political killings spike ahead of local government elections

{JSON.stringify(article.attachments[0], null, 2)} --> The latest police crime statistics show an overall 2.3% drop in contact crimes and a sharp decline in robberies. However, persistent gang violence, recent political assassinations and organised crime continue to pose security threats nationwide.

Murder and contact crimes are down nationwide, but gang murders, political killings and organised crime remain a persistent challenge. The police also recorded political killings in the run-up to the upcoming local government election after two councillors were shot dead in Knysna within less than 24 hours.

This was revealed by the South African Police Services’ (SAPS) first-quarter crime statistics, which were presented at the Government Communication and Information System head office in Hatfield, Pretoria, on Friday, 28 August. The statistics covered the 1 April–30 June period. Overall, contact crimes have decreased by 3,334 counts, or 2.3%, compared with the same period last year. This included murder, which has decreased by 5.9%, and sexual offences, which decreased by 0.8%. Mpumalanga and North West were the only two provinces to record increases in murder.

Robberies also saw a sharp decline. Common robbery declined by 5.3%, robbery with aggravating circumstances was down by 14.7%, and hijackings declined by 18.2%. In total, so-called TRIO crimes, referring to carjacking, robbery at residential premises and robbery at non-residential premises, was down by 16.4%. Notably, no bank robberies were recorded in the period under review.

Some crime categories reported increases. Attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and common assault recorded increases nationwide of 8.7%, 2.5% and 2% respectively. Only one incident of murder in a rural community was recorded.

SAPS crime registrar Major-General Thulare Sekhukhune said 40% of the attempted murders recorded were attributable to arguments, revenge and retaliation while 7,134 counts of assault GBH were attributable to domestic violence. Alcohol played a key role, with the bulk of contact crimes taking place at establishments that sold alcohol.

“Violent crimes occur mainly over the weekends at night, and they concentrate around liquor outlets – many of them unlicensed and operating without any regard for regulation,” said Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia.

“The police are doing their best to close down establishments that are unlicensed. But there’s not very much we can do when too many licences are given next to schools, in communities, next to churches and so forth […].”

The SAPS credited the decline in murder to increased police activity, particularly in confiscating illegal firearms. The statistics showed that firearms continue to be the leading weapon used, accounting for more than 200 counts of murder.

While murders are on the decline, organised crime and gang violence remain a persistent problem, particularly in Gauteng and the Western Cape.