Murder, rape and kidnapping cases rise in fourth quarter

CONCERNS were raised about the increase in murders, sexual offences, and kidnappings during Tuesday’s release of the Northern Cape’s fourth-quarter crime statistics for the period January to March 2025.

Northern Cape SAPS provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola said murders increased by 21 reported cases compared to the previous year - from 91 to 112 cases.

“The majority of victims were 87 men and 17 women. Sadly, eight of these cases involved the death of children.” 

Otola stated that the top 30 murder stations included seven stations in the Frances Baard district, seven stations in the Pixley ka Seme district, seven stations in the ZF Mgcawu district, six stations in the John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) district and three stations in Namakwa.

“Frances Baard district recorded the highest reported incidents of murder with 31 cases, and remains constant compared to the previous year.  The ZF Mgcawu district recorded 28 cases compared to 18 cases reported in the previous year. 

“There was an increase in murder cases in the Pixley ka Seme district, with 20 reported murder cases compared to 15 reported during the previous year. The JTG district had 25 reported cases, representing an increase of seven cases. The Namakwa district had eight murder cases - one less case compared to the previous year.” 

She explained that the main motives of murder were attributed to arguments, misunderstanding or provocation.

Otola indicated that attempted murders decreased by 1.5 percent (eight cases), assault GBH increased by 4.2 percent (82 cases) and common assault increased by 1.4 percent (21) cases. 

“A total of 415 cases of aggravating robberies were reported, which indicated a decrease of -5.5 percent (24 cases). Aggravating robberies such as carjacking remained at 12 cases.” 

She added that the majority of business robberies occurred at spaza or tuck shops, where an increase of 47 to 49 cases was reported. 

“Robberies  at residential premises decreased by two incidents.” 

Otola said damage to essential infrastructure usually occurred on Wednesdays or Thursdays, where non-ferrous metals were stolen at Transnet, Eskom and Telkom sites or locations.

It was reported that Transnet suffered losses of R893,382, where 19 cases of tampering with essential property were lodged. 

This is while Eskom and Telkom also reported eight cases of vandalism each, where Eskom suffered losses of R30,900 and Telkom experienced damage to essential property to the value of R78,600.

Otola said the SAPS prioritised the damage to essential infrastructure and theft of copper cables, where task teams that were established in the districts were successfully dealing with this type of crime. 

She warned community members that they could face jail time if they demanded employment by force. 

“The police opened a case after De Aar community members demanded that a contractor employ them on a project. If found guilty, these individuals could go to jail.” 

Otola indicated that crimes decreased in the ZF Mgcawu district by -3.6 percent, while Pixley Ka Seme district reflected a decrease of -1.4 percent, and the Namakwa district reflected a decrease of -5.3 percent.    

“Frances Baard district showed the highest reporting district with regards to the reported 17 community crimes reflected an increase of 3 percent, and the John Taolo Gaetsewe district reflected an increase of 1.5 percent.” 

She stated that there was a 1.7 percent increase in the incidence of rape cases with 302 cases in the province compared to the 297 cases reported in the previous year.

Provincial Crime Registrar Brigadier Samuel Mathe said there were two reported incidents of rapes at educational premises during the fourth quarter. 

He added that a pupil was raped by a 15-year-old while another pupil was allegedly raped by her biological father outside the school. 

Mathe stated that two murders took place on farms. 

“On March 13, a fight between two farm workers on Takalani Witklip farm near Augrabies on March 13, led to the death of a 37-year-old deceased who was stabbed multiple times by his 33-year-old co-worker.

“In a separate incident that occurred at Dagbreek Boerdery Kluppunt near Rosedale in February this year, a couple employed on the farm fought, whereupon a 22-year-old woman was arrested after allegedly stabbing her boyfriend. The 44-year-old deceased was found lying in a pool of blood. “ 

He pointed to an increase in kidnappings, where the police reported that Postmasburg and the ZF Mgcawu were at the top of the list of kidnapping cases. 

Mathe said an amount of R90,000 was demanded during one of the kidnappings, while kidnappers demanded a ransom of R2,100 for a kidnapping that took place in Roodepan. 

Premier concerned over crime increase

The Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, expressed concern over the increase in the number of violent crimes during the fourth quarter, including murders, assaults, sexual offences and commercial crimes. 

“Preventive strategies need to be formulated against emerging trends of extortion and kidnapping cases, as well as organised criminals that are targeting  businesses for financial gain.” 

He believed that a proactive approach was needed to prevent crime and build safer communities. 

“The increase in rapes, sexual offences are being released at a time when gender based violence and femicide is under the spotlight. Provincial government will support the SAPS to deal with the scourge of GBVF to intensify the successful prosecution of crimes committed against women and children.” 

The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Limakatso Koloi, encouraged communities to continue working together with the police to fight crime. 

New road traffic law enforcement vehicles to bolster road management

A fleet of road traffic law enforcement vehicles was handed over to increase visibility and enforce traffic regulations. 

Spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison Rennie Andrias said 20 new vehicles, including ten Volkswagen Polo sedans and 10 Toyota Hilux double-cab bakkies, were procured by the Northern Cape Provincial Government as a commitment to boost the implementation of our 365 days of road safety campaign in the province.