Tzaneen has highest record of sexual offences

TZANEEN has recorded the highest numbers of sexual offences in the province for three consecutive years.

According to the latest crime statistics, the number of sexual offence cases reported at the Tzaneen Police Station increased from 85 in the year 2011/2012 to 765 in 2013/2014.

The statistics show a high increase in robbery, burglary, theft-out-of-motor vehicles, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, truck hijacking, robbery at residential and business premises, public violence, culpable homicide, kidnapping, neglect and ill-treatment of children whilst theft of motor vehicles remain stable.

Crimes, such as as murder, attempted murder, assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, common assault, arson, malicious damage to property, robbery with aggravating circumstances, stock-theft, drug related, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, commercial, shoplifting, car hijacking and crimen injuria have dramatically decreased.

The other station with high sexual offences case in the Tzaneen Cluster is Bolobedu with 166 reported cases in 2013/2014 year , Ritavi 144, Maake 137.

Letsitele recorded 98 sexual crimes followed by Modjadjiskloof with 68 while only five were recorded in Haenertsburg.

Although assault with intent to cause bodily harm has decreased in percentage it is evident that it is still a major challenge for Bolobedu police who have recorded the highest number of assault with GBH (434) followed by Ritavi (362), Maake (295), Letsitele (246), Tzaneen (230), Modjadjiskoof (91) and 19 in Haenertsburg. Murder seem to be stable although in some areas there was a tiny decrease. Maake police have recorded 27 murder cases, Bolobedu (24), Ritavi (14), Letsitele (13), Tzaneen (10), Modjadjiskloof (6) and there was no murder case recorded for Haenertsburg. 28 cases of attempted murder were reported in Maake, Ritavi (19), Letsitele (13), Bolobedu and Modjadji recorded (8) consecutively and only one case for Haenertsburg. Common robbery was recorded as follows: Ritavi (86), Bolobedu (83), Tzaneen (76), Maake (68), Letsitele (38), Modjadjiskloof (120 and six in Haenertsburg.

Ritavi Police seem to be dealing with more violent crimes as they recorded 203 robberies with aggravating circumstances, while the lowest is Haenertsburg with seven.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is also one of the major challenges.

“This situation cannot be allowed to continue and urgent action must be taken to address the increase in crimes.

If necessary more policemen must be put in place in these area’s and courts and bail conditions must be closely monitored,” said the Democratic Alliance local Member of Parliament, Lindy Wilson.