Stats show a decline in burglaries in Hoedies
According to the July to September, crime statistics of last year released recently by the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, sexual offences have decreased by four counts in Hoedspruit, from eleven to seven cases compared to the same period last year.
Burglary at residential premises also decreased by four counts from eight to four incidences compared to the same period in 2022. Murder increased by three counts, from no cases to three cases. Commercial crime decreased by five counts, from 18 cases to 13 cases. No sexual assaults, arson, carjacking, bank robbery, and truck hijacking have been documented in this period in Hoedspruit. Rape also decreased by one case from seven cases in 2022 to six cases in 2023.
Nationwide a total of 6 945 murders were recorded, 59 less culminating in a 0.8% decrease. “A 3.1% decline in murders was noted between May and July and now there has been a 0.8% drop in the number of people killed between July and September in South Africa. I wish to make this point very clear; the second consecutive drop in the country’s murder figures is in no way, a claim of any victory by the SAPS. While there are green shoots, one murder is one too many.
Also read: Crime statistics indicate a rise in assault in Hoedspruit over last quarter of 2022
We believe the declines are a result of a combination of operational policing strategies as well as policy interventions, and we are seeing an improvement. Over and above ongoing policing operations, we know this administration has gone to lengths in capacitating critical units of the police service, in order to keep communities safer,” said Cele. “It remains encouraging that the KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo provinces reported double-digit percentage decreases in their murder rates.
This is despite KZN experiencing numerous mass shootings, claiming three or more lives at a time. While the Inanda and Umlazi police stations which have previously reported the highest murders in the country are still leading in this crime, they have reported decreases in murders during this reporting period. Delft in Western Cape is at the top with murders in the whole country,” he added. 10 516 rape incidents were reported to the SAPS between July to September. “We are motivated by the continued availability of ‘rape kits’, as well as the improvement of support services at stations for survivors of sexual violence,” concluded Cele.
