Substance abuse and domestic violence within Ballito’s residential areas, private estates, and complexes are on the rise, according to the latest crime statistics.

Drug and alcohol-related offences, theft, fraud – mainly from online scams – sexual offences, and assault have all increased compared to last year, with six weeks still left before the final figures for 2024 are tallied.

“People are abusing liquor and drugs, and there’s a lot of domestic violence,” said Umhlali Saps station commander, Colonel Fikile Xulu, during the Ballito Neighbourhood Watch AGM at La Montagne last Wednesday.

Colonel Xulu raised concerns about the frequent challenges police face when responding to crimes within private estates, citing difficulties with security protocols that often delay police access to crime scenes.

Read: Crime stats confirm KwaDukuza as a national crime hotspot

“It is difficult for us to enter the estates unless we are conducting an undercover operation,” she said.

Even in non-criminal matters, such as serving maintenance orders, the police are often asked to obtain permission or provide entry codes.

“While obtaining a warrant is simple, if a crime is happening, we need immediate access to make arrests,” Xulu stressed.

Despite a drop in house robberies and general property theft compared to 2023, the colonel noted that many incidents within estates go unreported, skewing crime statistics. Meanwhile, serious crimes like hijackings, carjackings, and business robberies are typically carried out by criminals from outside Ballito.

“These offenders often come from areas like Inanda or Umlazi and target isolated or industrial zones,” Xulu said.

Crime statistics for the Umhlali Saps precinct for 2024:

The 2023 figures included for context are for the entire year (April 2023 to March 2024), while the 2024 figures only take into account the nine months from April 2024 to December 2024.

The Umhlali Saps precinct covers Ballito, Salt Rock, Sheffield, Umhlali, Shaka’s Head, Shakaskraal, Shayamoya, Nkobongo and Etete, among other areas.

Attempted Murders: 31, up from 29 in 2023.
Sexual offences: 54, up from 46.
Assault GBH: 246, up from 202.
Aggravated Robbery: 138, down from 146.
Common robberies: 35, up from 25.
Arson: 6, down from 7.
Malicious damage to property: 75, up from 73.
Motor cycle theft: 31, up from 29.
Motor vehicle theft: 36, down from 41.
Stock theft: 5, down from 6.
General theft: 261, up from 237.
Fraud: 342, up from 268 – mostly from online sales and fake accommodation scams.
Rape: 48, up from 42.
Sexual assault: 6, down from 12.
Carjacking: 6, down from 14.
House robberies: 37, down from 46.
Business robberies: 20, up from 18.
Drugs arrests: 117, up from 105 up 117.
DUI: 93, up from 91.
Prostitution arrests: 10, up from 6.

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