While the slight drop in crime, according to the police’s latest statistics, is welcomed, the increase in crime against women and children and farm murders remains a serious problem.
During the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, all three categories of crime against women and children increased compared to the corresponding period last year.
Femicide rose from 895 murders to 966 (71 more), attempted femicide rose from 1 417 to 1 644 (227 more) and aggravated assault from 12 872 to 13 757 (885 more).
Regarding crimes against children, murder rose from 293 to 314 (21 more), attempted murder from 354 to 424 (70 more) and aggravated assault from 1 432 to 1 596 (164 more).
The FF Plus finds these figures extremely alarming given the numerous awareness campaigns launched by role players, from government to civil society, to protect women and children.
Clearly, government’s initiatives, such as the 16 days of activism against violence against women and children, have no real impact and all role players have to rethink how to tackle this social evil.
When women and children are killed and assaulted on such a scale it is a serious charge against a community and its government.
As far as farm murders are concerned, a total of nine murders were reported. Four of these were farmers and five were workers and their guests. The FF Plus has been advocating for farm attacks and murders to be declared priority crimes for years, and will not abandon its efforts in this regard.
Other crimes, from murder to robbery and theft, levelled out somewhat and there has been a welcome reduction in many respects. Still, South Africa’s crime levels, particularly violent crime, are so high that society should not be lulled into a false sense of security.
Over the period of three months, murder decreased from 6 228 to 6 198. The reality, however, is that it still amounts to nearly 70 murders per day. It is simply shocking when compared to the rest of the world.
Other significant crimes showing a notable drop are the so-called trio crimes. Carjacking decreased by 0,9%, robberies at residential premises rose by 0,2% and robberies elsewhere are down by 8,6%.
Rape increased by 0,4%, but sex offences in general decreased by 10,5%. Transit heists, bank robberies and truck-jackings decreased by 14% overall.
When it comes to property crimes, there was an overall decrease in burglary and theft from residential premises (7,4%), theft elsewhere (11,5%), theft of cars and motorbikes (5,2%) and theft from cars (3,6 %).
The FF Plus is aware that in most instances, crime correlates highly with the economy as well as the impact of unemployment and poverty.
Therefore, the early signs of an economic upswing under the new Government of National Unity (GNU) are welcomed and serve as a ray of hope for the future after decades of destruction under ANC rule.
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