Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, pictured in Mitchells Plain earlier this year, presented South Africa’s second-quarter crime statistics, highlighting trends across the country’s provinces.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media
Crime fell across much of South Africa in the latest quarterly statistics, but Cape Town and eThekwini again recorded the country’s highest levels of contact crime - even as Gauteng remained the single biggest contributor to the national total, accounting for 26.4% of all cases.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said the province also saw reductions in carjackings, residential robberies and other trio crimes, reflecting national trends.
Four of the top five stations nationally were in Cape Town, while Limpopo recorded the lowest murder rate per 100 000 people.
The report also revealed that most murders occurred in public places, highlighting the ongoing threat to communities.
Cachalia, who released the crime statistics yesterday, was joined by Deputy Minister Polly Boshiel, Deputy National Commissioner for Policing Lt-Gen Tebello Misikili and other senior police officials.
Registrar Major General Thulare Sekhukhune delivered the detailed presentation.
Sekhukhune opened with the murder statistics, noting a significant drop.
“In the current quarter two, we have recorded 751 fewer murders compared to the previous period. Previously, we had 6 545. Currently, we are at 5 794, and the percentage reduction is 11.5,” he said.
There has also been a rise in kidnappings across the country, with Gauteng recording the highest number of incidents - over 2 500 cases between July and September - averaging 53 cases nationwide every day.
Sexual offences increased slightly by two cases, rising from 12 765 to 12 787 - a 0.2% increase.
Sekhukhune said attempted murder rose by 194 cases.
Assault GBH decreased by 743 cases, while common assault increased by 331. Common robbery dropped by 363 cases.
Robbery with aggravating circumstances fell by 3 689 cases, contributing to a total reduction of 4 999 contact crimes.
Sexual offences consist of rape, sexual assault, attempted sexual offences and contact sexual offences.
“For the four crimes that make up the total sexual offences, we have recorded decreases in terms of rape - 37 counts less - and sexual assault - 12 counts less,” Sekhukhune said.
“We then recorded increases in terms of attempted sexual offences, 50 counts more, and contact sexual offences, 21 counts more.”
Only the Western Cape and Northern Cape recorded increases in contact crimes, with rises of 183 and 146 cases respectively.
Gauteng contributed the highest share of national contact crime, 26.4%, followed by the Western Cape, 18%, KwaZulu-Natal, 17.4% and the Eastern Cape, 10.6%.
All three months of the quarter - July, August and September recorded decreases in murder. Only the Western Cape (up 97) and Northern Cape (up 1) showed increases.
On a per capita basis, both the Eastern Cape and Western Cape recorded about 15 murders per 100 000 people.
He sid KwaZulu-Natal recorded 10 per 100 000, while Limpopo had the lowest rate.
The top five murder stations were Mfuleni (Western Cape), Kraaifontein (Western Cape), Delft (Western Cape), GP (Gauteng), and Gugulethu (Western Cape).
He said from a sample of 5 270 murder cases, the police identified key contributing factors.
“We observed that 956 of the murders were attributable to arguments, misunderstanding, road rage and provocation,” Sekhukhune said.
“328 happened during a robbery, and 315 were gang-related - with the bulk occurring in the Western Cape.”
In the same sample, most murders occurred in public places, 2 790, followed by perpetrators’ residences, 1 659.
Others took place at liquor outlets, 196, business premises, 83, spaza shops, 80, and educational institutions, 12.
Sekhukhune also highlighted the toll on law enforcement.
“Twenty-seven security guards and 23 police officers were killed - that easily comes to 50 personnel killed within a period of three month.
South Africa recorded 751 fewer murders than the previous quarter (6 545 → 5 794).
This is an 11.5% reduction, showing a notable drop in lethal violence.
All three months of the quarter (July, August, September) saw decreases in murders.
Sexual offences increased slightly by 2 cases (0.2%).
Decreases in rape (-37) and sexual assault (-12).
Increases in attempted sexual offences (+50) and contact sexual offences (+21).
Attempted murder rose by 194 cases.
Assault GBH dropped by 743 cases, but common assault rose by 331.
Robbery with aggravating circumstances fell by 3 689, contributing to a total reduction of 4 999 contact crimes.
Carjacking: -669
Robbery at residential premises: -864
Robbery at non-residential premises: -829
Property crimes: 8 455 fewer cases
Other serious crimes: 4 209 fewer
Commercial crime: increased by 948, bucking the general trend.
Drug-related offences rose by 9,214.
Driving under the influence rose by 4,391.
SAPS said this reflects better policing and proactive detection.