LIMPOPO – Crime statistics for October to December 2024 reveal a decline in some of the most serious crimes in Namakgale, while others have seen a notable increase.

According to the newly released figures, rape cases in Namakgale dropped from 24 to 20, and carjackings fell sharply from 16 to just 3, compared to the same period in 2023.

Sexual offences overall declined from 32 to 22 cases, while murder numbers remained steady at three cases.

However, not all crime categories showed improvement. Burglaries at residential premises rose by 21.3%, increasing from 61 to 74 cases, while theft from motor vehicles surged from 10 to 55 incidents. Shoplifting also saw a modest rise, from 58 to 62 reported cases.

In Phalaborwa, police recorded one murder case, while common assault increased slightly from 11 to 13 cases. However, rape cases declined from 5 to 4, and residential robberies dropped to zero, down from one case in the previous year.

In Lulekani, murder cases decreased from 3 to 2, and carjackings dropped to zero from two cases in 2023. Residential burglaries also declined significantly, falling from 51 to 34 incidents.

Across Limpopo serious crimes such as murder, carjacking, and rape have shown a downward trend, according to police commissioner Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe. Murder cases declined by 29.5%, from 288 to 203, rape cases declined slightly by 2.7%, from 1 169 to 1 138, and carjackings decreased from 156 to 93 incidents.

However, the statistics also highlight areas of concern. Commercial crimes rose significantly by 292 cases, from 1 784 to 2 076, and common assault increased by 13.7%, with incidents rising from 2 867 to 3 260.

The Thohoyandou Police Station, located in the Vhembe district, recorded the highest number of serious crimes in Limpopo, with 1 638 cases, a 6.2% increase from 1 542 in the previous year. Stations in Seshego, Polokwane, and Mankweng, followed in second, third, and fourth place, respectively.

Hadebe credited the decline in major crimes to intensified high-density operations, particularly the Shanela/Kukula initiatives targeting crime hotspots. She also highlighted awareness campaigns in high-crime areas and the deployment of 553 newly enlisted police constables, which have improved visibility and boosted crime prevention efforts.

The provincial update came on the heels of the release of national crime statistics by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who reported an overall drop in crime across all provinces.

Nationally murder decreased by 9.8%, rape cases declined by 3.3%, and attempted sexual offences dropped by 3.2%

Mchunu acknowledged that while progress has been made, crime remains a significant issue. “One of our key challenges is the backlog of outstanding dockets,” he said, noting that funding will be secured to accelerate investigations and prosecutions.

“Fighting crime is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement,” he added. “We need communities, the private sector, and civil society to play an active role. Our partnerships are key to strengthening crime prevention.”