Shock as local murder rate surges
Crime statistics have shown a sharp increase in murders committed northwest of Pretoria.
David Matsena
The townships northwest of Pretoria are dangerous places to live in.
This emerged from the latest crime statistics released at Parliament.
The figures show that the murder rate has jumped considerably in the past financial year in Ga-Rankuwa, Soshanguve, Mabopane and Winterveldt.
A total of 137 murders were reported between April last year and April this year, reveal data collected from Ga-Rankuwa, Soshanguve, Mabopane and Loate police stations.
Rietgat police station tops the list with a murder rate with 38 murders, compared to 32 the preceding year.
Loate police station recorded 34 murders, Mabopane 24, Ga-Rankuwa 12, Soshanguve 23, and Dube 6.
Rietgat CPF chairperson Peter Raseroka expressed concern over crime levels in the area.
“Community members have a general and aggravated feeling of being unsafe. They know that they live in a dangerous environment and this cannot be allowed to carry on,” said Raseroka.
“There’s a number of issues. Poor police visibility and response time by the police remain critical. It is worrying that our community has become more violent.”
Crimes on the list include attempted murder, sexual offences, armed robbery, drugs and assault to cause gross bodily harm.
House robberies increased by 7.4% and robberies with aggravating circumstances by 12.7%. Car hijackings were up by 12.3%.
“People are no longer feeling safe in their own homes,” said Raseroka.
“Crime is out of hand and residents have every reason to feel unsafe. The statistics are not lying,”
Echoing these statements, Daniel Motsepe of the Ga-Rankuwa CPF also expressed concern, saying residents faced massive increases in crime.
“Currently, government and the police are failing in the fight against crime. But we do not need to accept crime as a reality that we have to live with,” said Motsepe.
“We need to encourage people to continue working with the police in the fight against crime. If we implement the right policies, we can significantly reduce our crime rate.”
Also read:
Crime Statistics in Pretoria North
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