It is evident communities are “starting to feel the financial pinch” due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as indicated by an increase in crimes such as theft, robbery, fraud and housebreaking, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has found.
National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi told the portfolio committee on justice and correctional services and select committee on security and justice during a virtual meeting on 29 April she expected to see an increase in poverty related crimes.
According to the NPA’s presentation, during the first phase of the Covid-19 lockdown period, from 27 March to 16 April, 11 111 first-appearance cases and 13 522 accused were dealt with by courts.
There was a huge inflow of cases noted on Freedom Day and a significant spike in first-appearance cases was more prominent on 14 April (after the Easter weekend), when the courts dealt with 2 664 cases involving 3 313 accused.
During the extended or second phase of the lockdown period, 5 591 cases with 6 846 accused were dealt with by the courts.
On 29 April the police provided statistics to the portfolio committee on police and the select committee on security and justice.
According to these statistics, 109 085 cases relating to the contravention of lockdown regulations were opened between 27 March and 17 April.
The most cases were “residential-related offences”, while 1 096 were alcohol-related.
– Jan Gerber, News24
