Sexual offences and rape on the increase in Phalaborwa
Although nationally there is a 35.9% decrease in sexual offences, the same cannot be said for Lulekani and Namakgale.
This comes after the crime statistics of the second quarter of the year, between July and September 2023, indicate an increase in the number of cases. Namakgale Police Station reported 28 cases of sexual assault, an increase of 13 more cases from the 15 reported in 2022 in the same period. The station also recorded 24 rape cases; 11 counts higher than the 13 in 2022.
At Lulekani Police Station, 13 sexual offences were reported in the three-month period, making it five counts higher when compared to the eight cases reported last year. The station also recorded 12 rape cases; five cases higher than the seven cases in 2022. Phalaborwa Police Station documented one sexual offence and one rape case in the 3-month period. Burglary at non-residential premises skyrocketed from 21 counts in 2022 to 38 this year in Phalaborwa.
Also read: Namakgale: Most violent area
Namakgale also had a high number of burglaries, reporting 27 for the period, resulting in 20 more counts than the seven documented in 2022. The stats were officially announced by Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, on Friday, November 17 in Pretoria. He declared that for the second consecutive quarter, there has been a decrease in the country’s murder statistics. “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,” Cele said.
“The drop in murders is reflective of the SAPS’s continued efforts to combat crime, through decisive police action and robust community involvement. 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. “10 516 rape incidents were reported to the SAPS between July to September this year. “4 726 rape incidents took place at either the home of the rape victim or the home of the perpetrator which are known to the victim, such as a family member, a friend or a neighbour,” said Cele, He said South Africans will have to work together in the fight against crime.
