This is according to the 2022/2023 fourth quarter crime statistics which were released by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, recently. The statistics refer to all crimes recorded by the police between January and March 2023. The statistics show an increase from one carjacking in 2022 (January to March) to
seven cases this year. Ritavi Police Station has also recorded an increase of 21.4% for rape and a 400% increase in
robberies at residential premises.

The region showed an 85.7% decline in murder, from seven cases to one case in the first three months of the year. Drug-related crimes went down by 11.8% and sexual offences are down by 100%. Maake and Letsitele police stations both recorded an increase in murder cases. The murders that were documented moved from eight to eleven cases in Maake and in Letsitele four murders were reported
in relation to zero cases last year in the three months.

Also read: Tzaneen crime statistics show an increase in rape cases

Maake saw a decrease of 100% in arson and a 100% decrease in the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles decreased by 54.5%. Letsitele recorded a 33% decrease in carjacking and a 15% decrease in rape cases reported. Tzaneen Police Station documented an increase of attempted murder cases, from zero to three incidences. Meanwhile robbery at non-residential premises increased by 200% and shoplifting is 4.8% higher.

Tzaneen recorded 20% less cases of sexual offences, and drug-related crimes went down by 47.5%. No stock thefts were reported. Cele said although the murder statistics remain high, it is also the lowest it has been in three quarters. “The majority of the killings took place in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng with arguments, vigilantism and robberies topping the motive list,” he said. Cele also stated that there were less child killings in this quarter. He thanked the men and women in blue who work tirelessly to alleviate criminality in the country.