Murder and drug related crime hike

Murder and drug related crimes have increased dramatically in KwaDukuza (Stanger) and Umhlali in the last year, according to the national crime statistics.

Overall KZN is the province with the highest murder rate. Between April 1, 2014 and March 31 this year, 3 810 people were murdered, being 21.4 percent of the national total of 17 805.

The crime statistics were released by Minister of Police Nathi Nhleko and National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega last week.

Of the murders committed across the country, 49 were committed by children and 884 by youths between the ages of 18 and 25. In KZN, which also ranked first last year, 61 percent of murders occurred over weekends and 40 percent between 6 pm and 12pm. Robbery with aggravating circumstances increased by 13,1% and housebreaking by 16%, again the highest increase nationwide.

Following the provincial trend, at Umhlali murder was up 29% (from 24 to 31), attempted murder up 32% (from 22 to 29) and drug related crime up 12% (from 503 to 563). Also of concern were the stats for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm at 250 reported cases (up from 245 last year) and 563 burglaries at residential properties (up from 503 last year). There were also six cases of car jacking.

In KwaDukuza murder was up 26% (from 55 murders last year to 69 this year), attempted murder up 40% (from 66 to 92) and drug related crime was up 14% (from 1027 to 1168). KwaDukuza was among the highest for carjackings with 23 reported cases and shoplifting was up 30% (from 342 to 446).

Only in Tongaat did the murder rate decrease slightly, from 29 murders to 28, and attempted murder dropped from 49 to 31. However drug related crime in Tongaat was up 18% (from 578 to 682). While burglary at residential properties decreased by 14%, the number of cases remained a disturbingly high at 373. Robbery at residential properties increased to 55 from last year’s 44. There were 12 reported cases of sexual offences as the result of police action and 25 carjackings and one truck jacking.

In Mandeni the highest number of reported cases were for drug related crime, despite a marginal decrease from 273 to 270 cases. The greatest increase for the Mandeni area was in burglary at non-residential premises, up 139% (from 13 to 31) and while burglary at residential properties decreased by 37%, the number of 55 reported cases remains concerning.

Murder was also up in Newark, with 13 cases from last year’s five, and attempted murder with 25 cases from last year’s 22. Assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm increased by 13% from 38 cases to 43 and drug related cases hiked up by 11% (from 74 to 82).

*The difference between a house robbery and a house burglary is that the occupants were not home during a burglary.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Join us on Whatsapp at 061 718 4438 and BBM at 2BE14E97.