Delmas is the number two kidnapping hotspot
With the ever-increasing number of blue light hijackings and accompanying kidnappings recorded in the area, it is no wonder that Delmas has been identified as the number two kidnapping hotspot in South Africa.
It is no secret that the N12, R50 and R42 in the Delmas area are notorious for hijackings by the so-called ‘blue-light gang’ and bogus police officers.
Streeknuus regularly reports on car- and truck hijackings with accompanied kidnapping.
A new phrase for this tendency is ‘carjacking’ or ‘truck jacking’.
In these instances, the victims are kidnapped, their personal belongings stolen, bank details taken, and bank accounts emptied.
The victims are then mostly left in a remote area along a road.
In some instances, motorists have been raped or killed as most of the hijackers are heavily armed.
With the ever-increasing number of blue light hijackings and accompanying kidnappings recorded in the area, it is then no wonder that Delmas has been identified as the number two kidnapping hotspot in South Africa.
This announcement follows Police Minister, Bheki Cele’s release of the crime statistics for the fourth quarter (January – March) on Friday, June 3.
Most of the reported kidnapping cases were hijacking-, robbery- and rape-related.
Murder, sexual assaults, and kidnappings all show a sharp upwards curve.
According to a media statement released by the Democratic Alliance, sexual offences in Mpumalanga have increased by more than 300% for the fourth quarter.
“The first three months of 2022 have unfortunately been marred by more murders, more sexual violence and more assaults, compared to the same time the previous year,” said Bheki during his speech.
There was also an increase from 136 cases of sexual offences to 898.
Besides common robbery, contact crimes also increased quite significantly.
Common assault increased by as much as 243 cases or 788%, and murder increased by 37 cases to a total of 276 cases or 645%.
Assault with the intent to do bodily harm increased by 510 cases to 2 780 or 445% in the fourth quarter.
According to the report, stock theft also remains prevalent in Mpumalanga.
“The statistics are not only to quantify crime, or create debate in society. The Figures also serve as a call of action on government businesses, NGOs, civil society and communities to come on board in the fight against crime,” said Bheki in his speech.
Trudie Grove-Morgan, spokesperson for Community Safety for the Democratic Alliance (DA) said that the DA would be tabling a motion in the National Assembly to debate the devolution of policing powers in the country as a solution to the ongoing failures of the national government and police to reduce violent crime.
“The current model of policing under national government is failing South Africa. It is time for Parliament to demand decentralising the police service to improve accountability and service delivery,” said Grove-Morgan in a media statement released on June 6.
For motorist and truck drivers travelling to and from Delmas on the N12, R42 and R50 roads the latest crime statistics however hold a bleak picture.
