East police stations see decline in crime

While the third quarter crime statistics have shown some decrease in various crimes in most of Pretoria’s east police stations, more work needs to be done to curb crime.

Most east stations, such as Garsfontein, Brooklyn and Silverton policing precincts, have seen a drop in contact and property-related crimes.

Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, released the third quarter crime statistics, covering the period from October-December 2024.

Mchunu was pleased by the overall notable national decreases in crimes such as in murder cases (9.8% decrease), rapes (3.3% decrease) and attempted sexual offences (3.2% decrease).

While he acknowledges his fellow officers for their work, the minister insists that plenty more crimes continue to plague South African communities, thus more work needs to be done to combat them.

“As the Ministry of Police, we remain resolute in our commitment to upholding the Constitutional promise of safety and security for all. These crime statistics reflect progress, but they also highlight areas requiring urgent intervention. We assure South Africans that we are hard at work to address these challenges, and we will not relent in our efforts to build a safer, more secure nation,” Mchunu said.

Here is a look at how east stations performed from October 1 to December 31, 2024:

Garsfontein

Garsfontein is one of the most troubled stations in Tshwane, however in the third quarter, it saw a decline in most crime categories.

The station has recorded a decline in crime in the subcategories of aggravated robbery, which includes carjacking and robbery at residential and non-residential premises.

No cases of carjacking or robbery at residential and non-residential premises were reported.

The station recorded an 8% decrease in property-related crime, which included burglaries at non-residential and residential premises, theft of motor vehicles and motorcycles, theft out of or from motor vehicles and stock theft.

There were fewer cases of property-related crimes, dropping from 313 cases to 288.

Cases of burglaries at non-residential premises dropped to 20 from 38 in the previous quarter.

Motor vehicle-related crimes continue to be a problem as the station recorded a 5.7% increase in the theft of motor vehicles or motorcycles.

Kidnapping cases increased to 8, up from 5 in the second quarter.

Sexual offences have decreased by three counts, while common assault increased by 7.1%.

Three murder cases were reported in the third quarter compared to the two reported in the previous.

Boschkop

The Boschkop station continues to be plagued by contact crime, as the station recorded a 14% increase with 178 cases compared to 155 in the previous quarter.

Murder cases increased to 5 from 3, while sexual offences increased by five counts to take the cases to 11 compared to 6 in the same quarter last year.

The station recorded a 22.4% increase in common assault cases over the period.

Burglaries at non-residential premises decreased by five counts dropping from 15 cases in the same quarter last year.

Only two carjacking cases were recorded, while zero bank robberies and truck hijackings were recorded.

The station has seen an 8-count drop in shoplifting, but a 7.4% increase in commercial crimes.

Bronkhorstspruit station

Murder cases have decreased by 7 counts, with the station recording at least 3 murders, while sexual offences dropped by 5 counts (23 down to 18).

Carjacking grew by one count to 23 cases.

Robberies at residential premises declined by one count (20 down to 19).

Only one arson case has been recorded and 54 cases of malicious damage to property, making it an increase of 14.9%.

Commercial crimes grew by 39.4% (71 to 99 cases).

Attempted murder grew by 12 counts, the station recording 18 cases from 6 of the same period last year.

Theft of motor vehicles or motorcycles decreased by 10 counts (3 cases from 13).

Silverton policing precinct

This station has seen a significant decrease in property-related crime by 14.5%.

Only one case of murder was recorded, while 33 cases of carjacking and 25 cases of robbery at residential premises have been recorded.

Theft of motor vehicles or motorcycles has decreased by 1.2%.

Kidnapping cases have skyrocketed to 23 cases which increased by 10 counts from 13 cases in the same quarter last year.

The station has seen a decline of 20.2% in burglaries at residential premises: 89 cases down to 71.

The station recorded a 24.9% increase in commercial crimes, with 211 cases recorded.

Brooklyn Police Station

The station serves 28 suburbs, including Brooklyn, Hatfield, Lynnwood North, Alphen Park, Menlyn, Hazelwood, Menlo Park, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Waterkloof and Newlands.

The precinct comprises student residences, shopping centres, sports facilities, university institutions, restaurants and bars.

The station saw a decline of 24% in contact crimes, while contact-related crimes dropped by 7 counts and the17 community-reported issues represented a 10.4% decrease.

The station recorded no murder cases; rape cases declined by 6 counts, leaving one active case, while no single case of carjacking, bank robbery and truck hijacking were recorded in the past two quarters.

Shoplifting increased by 5.9%, while commercial crimes increased by 16.2% with 316 cases recorded from the 272 of the same quarter last year.

Robberies at non-residential premises increased by five counts, with the station recording 8 cases, up from the 3 of the same period last year.

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