Murder figures increase across the board
Despite the increase in murders recorded at police stations in the north of Pretoria, 300 less people were killed during the same period in 2019.
Although fewer people were murdered across South Africa between July and September compared to last year, the four police stations in the north of Pretoria have actually shown a slight murder rate increase.
Akasia police station recorded an 8.9% increase with a total of 13 cases recorded from July to September 2020, one more compared to the same period last year.
Sinoville police station recorded only one case of murder during the same period.
Kameeldrift police station, which recorded only one murder case from July to September 2019, had two cases in the past year.
The Pretoria North police station saw a 60% increase with three more cases recorded compared to only five in the same period in 2019.
The statistics formed part of a report released by Gauteng following the one made public by police minister Bheki Cele last week.
Cele said a total of 5 107 people were murdered during the quarter throughout the country.
“This meant 339 less people were killed compared to the same period last year. This is also the lowest figure for the past four second quarters from 2017/2018 to date.”
He said that from a sample of 4 290 murder dockets, police analysis showed 1 992 of the murders had occurred in public spaces – open fields, streets, parks and beaches.
“Over 900 people were killed in their homes or the homes of those who ended their lives,” Cele said, adding that arguments and misunderstandings remained the main drivers of murder.
“Robberies, vigilantism and gang conflicts also feature high on the list of some of the causes of murder.”
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Despite the increase in the number of murders at the four local police stations, three of those stations recorded a decrease in sexual offences – Sinoville, Pretoria North and Akasia.
Kameeldrift, however, recorded a 75% increase in sexual offences.
The number of incidents recorded from July to September 2020, rose to seven, compared to only four in the same period last year.
Cele said a national decrease of 16.8% was recorded during the same period, adding that an 18.8% decrease was recorded in the number of rape cases.
“July, August and September 2020, were dangerous months for thousands of women in this country [as] 8 922 cases of rape were reported at this time.”
He said that a sample of 5 168 rape dockets revealed a whopping 3 578 people were raped either in their homes or the home of the perpetrator.
“Majority of those who were raped were women,” Cele said, adding that over 1 000 of those raped were attacked in public spaces – parks, parking areas, fields and beaches.
Trio crimes – carjacking, robbery at residential premises and robbery at non-residential premises – across all the police stations increased, except for robbery at non-residential premises at the Pretoria North and Akasia police stations.
Despite the 5% decrease in robberies at non-residential premises at the Akasia police station, an overall 31.2% increase in trio crimes was recorded.
The Akasia police station was also ranked among the top 30 police stations nationally for robbery at residential premises and carjacking, while Sinoville police station made the top 30 list for robbery of cash-in-transit.
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