According to departmental spokesperson Oshebeng Koonyaditse, several police stations in the province appear in the top 30 crime reporting stations in the country.

During a high-density operation from Thursday to Sunday morning, police arrested 225 suspects for crimes including murder, assault, carjacking and possession of counterfeit goods.

MEC Sello Lehari is also expected to announce strategic plans to deal with spiralling crime statistics and measures for strengthening the fight against crime through community-based structures. Lehari will be accompanied by SAPS provincial commissioner Sello Kwena.

In May this year, police minister Bheki Cele announced that murder increased countrywide by 3.4% between January and March 2023.

In total, 6 289 people were reported to have been killed by firearms, knives and other weapons during that time.

“The majority of the killings took place in KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Gauteng, with arguments, vigilantism and robberies topping the motive list. KwaZulu-Natal also reported the highest figures of multiple-murder cases, followed by the Eastern Cape, with 206 and 155 victims respectively,” Cele said.

Cele said the Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape recorded decreases in murder figures, with both the Western Cape and Northern Cape reporting double-digit decrease in murder cases.

While more work still needs to be done to combat contact crimes, the drop in murder figures is welcomed,” Cele said.

OFM News