Northern Cape crime stats show decline, but concerns remain
PROVINCIAL police commissioner Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola announced that all districts in the Northern Cape recorded a decrease in community-reported crimes during the release of the third-quarter crime statistics on Tuesday. The statistics cover the period from October to December 2024.
She noted that Frances Baard, the district with the highest number of reported community crimes, recorded a 5.7% decrease. Other districts also showed declines:
• John Taolo Gaetsewe: 11.6% decrease
• Namakwa: 7.9% decrease
• Pixley ka Seme: 1.4% decrease
• ZF Mgcawu: 8.7% decrease
“Murders decreased by -10.7 percent, with a reduction of 13 reported cases compared to the previous year. Attempted murder decreased with -1.3 percent. The majority of causative factors that lead to murder, attempted murder and assault GBH are arguments, misunderstandings and provocation,” said Otola.
She added that the most prevalent instrument utilised during murders and attempted murder was knives.
“Assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH) and common assault remain a concern. Arguments were a causative factor in incidents of assault GBH that occurred at schools.”
Otola said that aggravating robberies indicated a decrease of -14.7 percent while robberies at residential premises reflected a decrease of -10 cases compared to the same period the previous year.
She stated that the use of private drones was assisting in the prevention of robberies.
“Property-related crimes reflected an overall decrease of -19.6 percent, with stock theft displaying a reduction of -29.5 percent.”
Otola stated that the prevention of damages and tampering with essential infrastructure remains a concern and teams have been established within the districts to deal decisively with these crimes, which are resulting in positive successes. Institutions where non-ferrous theft occurs are Transnet, Eskom and Telkom.
“There was an overall decrease in other serious crime categories, with a reduction of -9,8 percent. However, commercial crimes increased with 12 percent.”
She indicated that a total of 43 kidnapping cases were reported for the period compared to the 53 reported cases the previous year.
She said the multi-disciplinary illicit mining operation Vala Umgodi, through the collaboration of the SAPS, South African National Defence Force and Department of Home Affairs, was intentional in “squeezing the operational space of criminals” in the Frances Baard and Namakwa districts.
“It includes the apprehension of undocumented persons and confiscation of diamond-bearing gravel, tools and equipment used in the commission of illicit mining activities. A total of 328 suspects were arrested, of which 219 are foreign nationals.”
Otola added that Operation Shanela would continue to intensify high-density operations in hot-spot areas across the province, with a focus on the reduction of contact crimes, trio crimes and the tracing of wanted suspects.
“These actions support interventions to address crimes reliant on police actions. The operation is yielding very good successes and the province appreciates the collaboration with all entities and the dedication of all law enforcement involved,” she said.
The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Limakatso Koloi, stated that fighting crime was a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders.
“Fighting crime is not only a police function, but it must be a societal issue,” she said.
She encouraged law enforcement to fight crime without fear or favour and to serve with dignity.
She also acknowledged the valuable contributions played by community policing structures.
Premier Zamani Saul recognised the tireless contributions made by the men and women in blue, who worked under dangerous and stressful conditions.
“Yet they perform their duties with courage and vigilance and relentlessly promote safer communities,” he noted.
He stated that illegal mining was causing economic instability in the province.