
KwaZulu-Natal is the murder capital of South Africa.
This and other statistics painted a somewhat grim picture of crime in the province when police minister Nathi Mthethwa and national police commissioner Riah Phiyega unveiled the national statistics yesterday.
KZN’s murder rate shot up by 11%, the highest increase in the country. The Free State followed with an increase of 6,6%.
Attempted murder was also up by 10%.
KZN showed an increase in the amount of sexual offences, recording 5,5% more cases than the 2011/2012 crime statistics. It was one of only two provinces to show an increase in assault with intent to grievous bodily harm, 2,2% more than 2011/2012.
Common robbery increased by 12,6 % and KZN was the only province where theft increased – by 0,2%.
The province showed the highest increase in malicious damage to property (6%), which police attribute to an increase in service delivery protests.
Robbery with aggravating circumstances increased by 13,1% and housebreaking by 15,7%, again the highest increase nationwide.
KZN topped the list in theft from a motor vehicle, showing an 18,4% increase. Bank robbery increased by 100%.
The alleged “dismal performance of KZN police” has prompted the DA to call for the immediate resignation of provincial commissioner lieutenant general Mmammonye Ngobeni.