Serious crime in Gauteng is taking on extraordinary proportions and if drastic action is not taken soon, the province will turn into a crime den.
The Gauteng provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen. Elias Mawela, announced Gauteng’s crime statistics for the last quarter (April to June) earlier today.
A total of 21 offences, described as serious crimes in the report, increased with 4,0% since the corresponding period last year. During this quarter, 103 644 incidents were reported, compared to the 99 622 incidents that were reported during the same period last year. This figure comprises 27,9% of the country’s overall serious crime rate.
The figures for the various areas are as follows: Ekurhuleni 24 490, Johannesburg 38 456, Sedibeng 6 068, Tshwane 27 611 and West Rand 6 814.
The Roodepoort Police Station’s reporting rate of serious crime shot up with 44,7%, followed by the Johannesburg Central Police Station with an increase of 9,7%.
Another cause for concern for the FF Plus is the attempted murder rate which increased with 7,2%. From April to June this year, 1 537 incidents were reported, compared to the 1 434 incidents reported during the corresponding period last year.
Burglaries also skyrocketed with 13,7%. A total of 2 058 incidents were reported to police stations across Gauteng during the last quarter.
The greatest number of cases are investigated by the Tembisa Police Station. It ranks second, just after the highest in the country.
Kidnapping in Gauteng rose with 8,3% (2 068). A ransom was demanded in 90% of the cases, while the rest related to extortion and human trafficking.
The FF Plus has already warned the Gauteng Police Commissioner on numerous occasions that the crime rate will only decrease once police stations are provided with enough resources to enable police officers to do their jobs successfully.
Many police stations do not have enough vehicles, weapons or even stationary. Police officers must often buy their own stationary or wait for hours until a vehicle becomes available to conduct investigations.
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