Crime Stats : Attempted murder and rape on the rise, stats reveal

South Africa records 1 485 attempted murder cases of women in the first three months of this year, an increase of 21.5% in attempted murder figures for the 4th Quarter.

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The shocking crime stats further revealed that 10 512 people were raped during the same period.

Minister of Police, Bheki Cele presented the 2022/2023 quarter 4 crime statistics, between January and March, during a virtual briefing in parliament, on Tuesday.

Minister Cele said women and children continued being under attack, at the hands of men.

“969 women were killed in the same period and over 15 thousand women were assaulted and the members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) are investigating assault cases with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH).”

The crime statistics indicated there was a decrease in child murders by 19.9% compared to the same period last year and a slight decrease in assault GBH cases of children.

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Despite the reported decrease by the minister 29 more children were victims of attempted murder compared to the same period last year, while 360 attempted murder cases involving minors were registered and investigated by members of the SAPS.

Minister Cele, welcomed the drop in murder figures, announcing a countrywide decrease, by 3.4% between the three months.

“This is the lowest single digit decrease recorded, compared to the previous three quarters. Though it is a decrease, these are not just figures but human lives that should be protected at all costs.

This is why these figures prompt us as the police to double-up policing efforts to decrease contact crimes,” Cele said.
6 289 people were killed with either a firearm, knife, sharp and blunt instruments, stone and even bare hands, during the same period.

The majority of the killings occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng with arguments, vigilantism and robberies topping the motive list for murder, Cele indicated.

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KZN also accounted for the highest figures of multiple-murder cases, followed by the Eastern Cape with 206 and 155 victims respectively.

The Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces recorded decreases in murder figures with both the Western Cape and Northern Cape reporting double digit decreases in murder cases.

“This is largely due to combined efforts by law enforcements targeting high crime areas such as the Cape Flats,” he argued.

Cele said while reported rape cases have shown decreases, with six provinces reporting less rape cases, it was concerned at the high figure of rape incidents across the country.

The minister said of the 10 512 people who were raped in the first three months, an overwhelming 4 768 incidents took place at the home of the victim or at the home of the perpetrator.