Rape stats shocker – More than 3 000 rape cases in Lim in past year

While contact crimes such as murder, assault and robbery and their causative factors were highlighted as concern during the release of the 2018/2019 provincial crime statistics in Seshego on Tuesday, Transport and Community Safety MEC Dickson Masemola stressed that the high number of rape cases, 2 934 women and 357 men reported in Limpopo the past year, was unacceptable and that the frequency of sexual offences generally alarming.
In terms of rape the Tzaneen Cluster showed the biggest increase with 66 more incidents reported compared to the previous year. The second highest increase occurred in Thohoyandou Cluster where 55 more cases were reported. With regards to general sexual offences Tzaneen and Thohoyandou once again showed the biggest increase.
Masemola further expressed concern about gender-based violence and took a resolution that things won’t be the same going forward in the fight against these crimes. A total of 183 women were murdered while 2 229 sexual offences were reported. Cases of attempted femicide stand at 148 while 3 437 of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH) against women were reported. Crime against children was just as worrying with 59 children being murdered in Limpopo the past financial year. A total of 1 788 cases of sexual offences which include rape, sexual assault, attempted rape and contact sexual offences against children were reported.
Murder
Masemola indicated that the figures reflect the work done by the Police but that all was not well. “Once you point a firearm at a Police officer, you are not pointing the gun at an individual. You are pointing it at the State and the State will respond,” he warned.
Mob justice accounts for most murders in Limpopo followed by domestic violence and argument or misunderstandings as causative factors. During 348 cases of murder victims were stabbed to death with knives or broken bottles. A figure of 228 indicated the second highest method used during a murder where victims were being hit by a stone or brick and 166 victims were shot with a firearm. The majority of murders took place on Saturdays and Sundays followed by Tuesdays and Mondays from midnight to 03:00.
Attempted murder
Armed robbery was the biggest contributor to attempted murder statistics followed by domestic violence. In 502 cases victims were shot at and 108 stabbed with knives or broken bottles.
Assault
When it comes to assault GBH 7 051 cases were reported where the suspects used bricks, stones or other objects to attack their victims. A total of 3 152 cases were reported where knives were used. Of all GBH assault cases 3 008 were the result of arguments or misunderstanding with domestic violence being the second biggest contributor.
Hijackings
Hijacking statistics clearly showed sedans being the most popular targets with 228 being stolen while 149 bakkies and 29 station wagons were hijacked during the past year. Toyota remains the most popular brand among the hijackers followed by Nissan, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Isuzu and Mazda. A total of 328 cases reported occurred along roads, 93 while parked along a road, 33 at a gate, six outside a tavern and two at filling stations. Of all incidents reported a firearm was used in 341 cases, a shotgun in 25 and knives in 12 cases.
Robbery
Louis Trichardt showed the highest increase in robbery at residential premises followed by Tzaneen. Most of these crime were committed on Fridays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and also between midnight and 03:00. In 371 cases firearms were used, 253 cases forced was used with hands and during 242 cases victims were threatened with knives.
Seshego recorded the highest increase in robbery at business premises. Most incidents occurred on weekends and on Wednesdays around midnight.
A total of 1 131 spaza or tuck shops were targeted while 81 liquor outlets were robbed. Fifty-six robberies occurred at shopping centres, 26 at government buildings and 22 at restaurants or fast food outlets.
During 981 cases firearms were used, in 299 incidents victims were threatened with knives and in 158 cases forced were applied with hands.
Stock theft
Polokwane showed the highest increase in stock theft with 368 cases reported followed by 333 reported incidents in Seshego. Topping the list are cattle with 8 333 being stolen in Limpopo and only 1 773 being recovered. A total of 6 032 goats were stolen and only 1 194 recovered. Ledwaba remarked to the statistics that stock owners should brand their animals at all times. Failing to do so is the biggest contributor to stock not being recovered.
General remarks
Provincial Police Commissioner Nneke Ledwaba said the statistics would serve as yardstick to gauge the level and intensity of strategies to deal with crime. “We are already in an advanced stage of addressing certain crimes in Limpopo and Operation Swara Tsotsi has to date yielded various successes,” he said.
On questions from the audience about the political killings in Mogalakwena, Ledwaba did not want to elaborate but indicated that a provincial task team supported by members of head office was working around the clock to investigate the killings. “Although there have been no arrests yet we continue to follow up on all leads and rely on information from communities,” he said.

Story: RC Myburgh
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