Far north stations shows significant drop in murder-related cases

Temba, Rietgat, Soshanguve and Ga-Rankuwa police stations have shown a slight decrease in contact crimes in the second quarter of the year.

Police minister Bheki Cele announced the latest national crime statistics for the period July 1 to September 30, on Friday, November 17.

Cele noted a decrease in murder cases for two consecutive quarters at most Noweto stations, however, robbery, assault, truck-hijacking, burglary in residential areas and public violence were still a cause for concern.

Temba police station has come under the spotlight for being the most troubled station nationally in four crime categories.

It made the list of South Africa’s 30 most troubled police stations in categories including common robbery, sexual assault, burglary at residential premises and assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.

Although the station registered a 1.9% decrease in contact crimes (murder, attempted murder, sexual offences, common assault and so on) murder cases still increased by seven counts, while common robbery grew by 23.3% and robbery with aggravating circumstances grew by 16.1%, making it 166 active cases.

Trio crimes, including robberies of cash-in-transit vehicles, bank robberies and truck hijackings, grew by 4.3% in the Temba policing precinct.

The station recorded two cases of truck hijacking compared to none during the same period last year.

Considering the rise in contact crimes (crimes against a person), there is a dire need for police action.

Property-related crime in the Temba policing precinct decreased by 7.6%, however, motor vehicle and motorcycle theft have grown to 28 counts compared to 14 in the same quarter last year.

The four crimes detected as a result of police action including illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, drug-related crimes, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and sexual offences, have decreased by 35.6%

Temba station is ranked 13th nationally and sixth provincially in the common assault category

For sexual assault-related cases, the station is ranked 18th nationally and second provincially.

For burglary at residential premises, Temba has been ranked 12 nationally and second in the province.

The Soshanguve policing precinct shows a massive decrease in all crime categories for the second quarter of the year.

Soshanguve police station has been ranked 10th nationally for public-violence related cases out of the 1 161 police stations in the country.

The precinct registered:
– 4.2% decrease in contact crimes,
– 46% decrease in trio crimes,
– 8.6% decrease in property-related crimes,
– 14.1% decrease in other serious crimes,
– 96.6% drop in crimes detected as a result of police action.
– two counts less in kidnapping and abduction cases.

Operation Shanela, which is in its sixth month running, has shown to be effective in Soshanguve, as it targeted crime hotspots.

Contact-related crimes, which include arson and malicious property damage, have increased by 17.2%.

Commercial crimes are down by 16 counts this year, while shoplifting has decreased by 13.6%, however, theft out of motor vehicles increased by 53.7%.

Common assault in the Soshanguve precinct has increased by 22.8% and common robbery cases have increased from 28 cases in the last quarter, making it 40 new active cases.

Loate police station has been ranked 14th nationally for common robbery cases.

Contact crimes have increased by 8.6% in Loate, with a 34% increase in common assault.

Attempted murder cases increased by nine counts, while sexual offences increased by two counts.

Carjackings grew by four counts from 37 of the same period last year, making it 41 active cases currently.

Robbery at residential premises grew by six counts from the 10 of the same period last year, making it 16 active cases.

The station recorded 16 cases of kidnapping, while 17 serious crimes increased by 7.2%.

Loate also recorded a 34.7% increase in malicious damage to property cases.

According to Cele, crime continues to be rife in the Hammanskraal policing precinct, as contact crimes grew by 25.3%.

Common assault increased by 28.4 %, with 95 active cases from 74 in the last quarter.

Rape cases have also increased by seven counts.

Trio crimes in Hammanskraal grew from the previous quarter. The station recorded a two-count increase with a single cash-in-transit case recorded, making it the only such case in five quarters.

The station recorded a 5.6% increase in cases related to malicious damage to property, and one count more in arson-related cases.

Murder cases have dropped significantly, with no cases reported the whole quarter.

“I wish to make this point very clear: The second consecutive drop in the country’s murder figures is in no way a claim of any victory by the SAPS,” Cele said.

Hammanskraal is still plagued by truck hijacking, with six active cases compared to three in the previous quarter.

In the previous quarter, the station was placed in the top five nationally for truck hijackings and the minister had called on police to get more boots on the ground.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram