The fourth quarter crime statistics were released on Tuesday (10/6) at the Metpol building by MEC of Community, Safety, Roads, and Transport, Jabu Mbalula, and the provincial commissioner.

The statistics revealed a decrease in murder, assault, and aggravated robbery in the province. Nationally, the province contributes a 6.4% increase in contact crimes, which are crimes against a person.

Arguments, misunderstanding, road rage, and provocation were the biggest causes of murders in the Free State, reporting 68 incidents from January to March. It was reported that 79 murder incidents were reported in public places.

“When we look at the number of our murders, they are reducing, but still 214 murders for a quarter is just too much,” said Motswenyane. “So, as the province, we will continue under Operation Shanela to make sure that we are going to fight crime and ensure that communities feel safe in the province.”

“Operation Shanela has resulted in the arrest of 12,250 suspects in the province during the fourth quarter, and of those, 249 murder and attempted murder suspects were arrested.”

The Department of Community Safety, Roads, and Transport will begin a province-wide engagement programme with community policing forums. “We are going to equip them with the necessary tools, training, and support to stand firm against the thugs roaming our streets,” said Mbalula.

Mbalula made a call to police officials to “not negotiate with criminals, you must respond with the full power the law and the state have entrusted to you.” I would sleep peacefully if our graveyards were filled with the funerals of thugs, rather than the funerals of law-abiding citizens, he said.

Thabong police station in Welkom is among the top 30 stations with contact crimes in the country. The station is number one in the province, reporting a 6.5 % decrease from the last quarter.

“We want to build a province where safety is felt not only in the numbers, but in the hearts of our people.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh