This is according to the latest crime statistics that were released by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, in Pretoria recently compared to the same period the previous year. The station has also recorded a 50% reduction in sexual offenses, rape declined by 66.7%, and robbery at both residential and non-residential premises declined by 100%. However, malicious damage to property has increased by a staggering 450%.

Lulekani Police Station also showed a 50% decrease in murder and rape cases in the last quarter. The theft of motor vehicles or motorcycles has declined by 100% and shoplifting also went down by 75%. Meanwhile, sexual offenses reported increased by 33.3%; rape also went up by 40% in the last quarter. Only one case of sexual assault was reported in the last three months. Namakgale Police Station is the only institution in the Ba-Phalaborwa region that had an increase in murder cases, reporting three cases, one case higher when compared to the two that were reported in the same period last year.

Also read: Statistics paint a bleak crime picture

Rape has also increased by 8.3% in the last quarter. However, not all is gloom as sexual assault cases declined by 80,0%. Carjacking also went down by 83,3%, robbery at non-residential premises went down by 50% and cases of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs declined by 400%. During the minister’s release of the new statistics, he expressed his concern about the rate at which women are abused, raped, and violated throughout South Africa.

More than 25 000 cases of violence against women were reported nationally between July and September. “Some of these women are unfortunately killed by the people they know, love and trust,” said Cele. “Over 13 000 women were victims of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, 1 277 were victims of attempted murdered and 989 were murdered, 10 000 rape cases were reported nationwide during this period,” Cele said.