According to the 2023 January to March, crime statistics released by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, assaults with the intent to cause grievous harm (GBH) have increased by 84,6% in Hoedspruit from five cases to thirteen cases compared to the same period last year. On burglary at residential premises, there was no case reported in 2022 and 2023. Sexual offences increased by 16,7%, from six cases to seven cases.

Commercial crime increased by 116,7%, from six cases to 13 cases. While murders remain the same with one case and zero attempted murders have been documented in this period in Hoedspruit, nationwide a total of 6 083 murders were recorded, 206 more culminating in a 3,4% increase. The country as a whole documented 43 090 cases of assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, an increase of 0,2% from 42 992 in 2022.

Also read: Crime statistics indicate a rise in assault in Hoedspruit over last quarter of 2022

Cele said that between January and March this year, fewer children were killed in South Africa compared to the same period last year. One child murder is one too many and the police must strive for zero tolerance for the murder of children. “Child murders decreased by almost 20% (19.9%) and a slight decrease was also noted in GBH assault cases of children. Sadly, and alarmingly, 29 more children were victims of attempted murder compared to the same comparative period last year.

360 more attempted murder cases were registered and investigated by the SAPS involving minors. The women of this country continue to be stalked by violence, mainly at the hands of men. A double-digit percentage increase of 21.5% was recorded in attempted murder figures for the 4th quarter. This means there were 1 485 attempted murders of women in South Africa in the first three months of this year. 969 women were killed in the same period and over 15 thousand women were assaulted, and the police are investigating GBH assault cases,” he said.

Also read: Increase in commercial crime in Hoedspruit

“This ministry is again calling on a whole government and whole society approach to fight crime. We again call on government at all levels, to support policing efforts by addressing the country’s drivers of crime. Without community participation, the police will never win the war against crime. We call on community partnerships.

Demonstrative to our commitment to work hand in glove with communities, for the first time in the history of policing, this administration has realised the funding of community policing forums (CPFs), R70 million of the budget in this financial year will go to all provinces to support CPFs in terms of their resource requirements. This funding will mean CPF members are not short of protective clothing, torches, communication material, and other tools of the trade to enable them to be fit for purpose. Community policing remains a vital part of the overall strategy to push back on crime,” concluded Cele.