Cape Town — The South African Police Services (SAPS) in Gauteng revealed the crime statistics for the second quarter, covering the period between July and September 2024.
Gauteng Provincial Crime Registrar, Brigadier Mpho Chauke, revealed that six out of the seven offences saw a reduction, except sexual offences, Newzroom Afrika reported.
“We have recorded an increase of 82 counts (3.1%). In total for Gauteng Q2, 1 579 people were murdered, 46 counts less than the previous period (2.8%). Attempted murder, we also saw a reduction of 53 counts. Assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm there was also a reduction of 582 counts. Common assault decreased by 852, common robbery decreased by 353,” she said.
Chauke said sexual offences, including rape, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault and contact sexual offences, saw increases.
Rape increased by 75 counts, sexual assault increased by 14 counts. Attempted sexual assaults had a reduction of 14 counts, while contact sexual offences reported 7 extra counts. Meanwhile, aggravated robbery stats, including carjacking, and residential and business robberies saw a decreases of 956 counts in total, a decrease of 13.9%.
[WATCH] Gauteng provincial crime registrar Brig. Mpho Chauke announces that contact crimes such as murder have decreased, while sexual offences have increased in the province. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/lC9V6dbVz9
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 29, 2024
According to TimesLIVE, Gauteng Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni said Gauteng witnessed a 6% reduction in crime, meaning “crime reports went down by 6,525 counts”.
He said Gauteng was the only province that managed to reduce 15 of the 17 community-reported crimes, accounting for 26.9% of the national overall crime rate.
With the country observing 16 days of activism against women and child abuse which kicked off on November 25, Mthombeni said combating crimes against women and children remained a priority for police all year round.
According to EWN, Mthombeni was concerned by the rising number of rape cases in the province and he said efforts would be made to combat those figures.
“I want to assure you as the public that for us as a police or law enforcement agency, the combating of crimes against women and children remains a priority for 365 days,” he said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
