Arguments, misunderstandings, road rage, and provocations
were the main cause for murders committed in the first three months of 2023.
In the Northern Cape, knives were the instrument used most
to commit a murder (45 cases), followed by a firearm (seven), and a sharp
instrument and body part (both five) as the third object.
This is according to the crime statistics released for the
fourth quarter of the 2022-’23 financial year, which is January to March of
this year.
The national statistics were released early this month, with
the provincial commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lt. Gen. Koliswa Otola,
giving a brief overview on the province’s statistics on 6 June.
A decrease of 10,5% in murder cases was reported in the
Northern Cape (down from 95 to 85 cases, comparing with the same period last
year).
Most murders took place in KwaZulu-Natal (1 589), and the
second highest rate in Gauteng (1 556).
Otola said the police has a sharp focus on gender-based
violence (GBV) and femicide, resulting in a decrease of 3,7% in rape cases in
the province.
In the Northern Cape, as well as nationally, incidences of
rape would often occur at the residence of the perpetrator or the victim, or at
a residence of family, friends, or neighbours of the perpetrator or victim.
Public places such as a street, open field, park, or parking area are where the
second rate of rape cases took place. Three rape cases were reported at
educational institutions.
Nationally, hijackings decreased with 5,2%, while three more
cases of this crime were reported in the Northern Cape (from eight to 11
cases).
Robberies at residential premises increased nationally by
5,9%, while 21 more cases were reported in the Northern Cape (from 29 to 50).
Robberies at non-residential premises increased in the province with 10 cases.
No cases of cash-in-transit robberies or truck hijackings
were reported in the Northern Cape during this period. Most trucks were
hijacked in Gauteng (272).
Contact crimes (crimes against the person) had an overall
increase of 6,3% in the province.
Of the 17 community-reported crimes, the following showed a
decrease in the province: murder
(-10,5%); assault, grievous bodily
harm (-13,2%); common robbery
(-4%); sexual offences (-1,6%); theft of motor vehicles (-31,9%); and theft out off or from motor vehicles
(-1,8%).
Otola said the police remain focused and committed to combat
crime and to hold criminals responsible for the heinous deeds they commit in
the province.
The police also prioritises damage to essential infrastructure
such as copper theft, and established task teams within the districts to deal
with these types of crime decisively.
The premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, remarked
that although statistics showed a decrease in sexual offences, it remains a concern
that more than 250 cases were reported in this period.
Saul said crime hotspots should be focus areas and that more
boots on the ground are assisting with the decrease, hence more police
operations should be the order of the day. He indicated that it is not only the
police’s responsibility to fight crime, but the community at large.
