Limpopo has recorded an increase in violent crimes according to the latest crime statistics for the April-June 2021 period.

According to the statistics, the province’s murder cases have risen by 168.4% from 95 cases in April -June 2020 to 255 in April-June of 2021 period.

Meanwhile, rape has increased by 98.0% from 454 to 899 and carjacking also increased by 89.4% from 66 to 125 in the last year.

Although this seems bad for the province and the country at large, not all is gloom as the three local stations, Phalaborwa, Lulekani, and Namakgale are doing better. Phalaborwa was named number 11 in the top 30 stations in the country which detects sexual offences as a result of police action.

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The community will also be happy to learn that in the last quarter, between April-June 2021, no murders were reported at the station. However property-related crimes rose by 14% and shoplifting increased by 137.5%.

Lulekani Police Station recorded three rape cases compared to April-June last year when there were no rape cases reported. Burglaries at residential properties have increased by 68.2% from 27 to 37 cases. Namakgale Police Station has recorded more serious crimes when compared to the other two stations in the area.

Carjacking increased from one to two cases, while rape cases have increased by 133.3% from 6 to 14 cases in the last quarter. The station has also recorded two counts of murder in the period April-June 2021.

In the same period last year, no murders were recorded. The police in the three stations have been doing a good job of detecting drug-related crimes, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and illegal possessions of illegal firearms and ammunition.