The Western Cape’s Department of Community Safety has welcomed the news of the stabilisation of the murder rate, as well as consistent decreases in other categories of crime in the province.
According to Provincial Minister Albert Fritz, the latest statistics is somewhat good news, however, the provincial government should do more to ensure a safe and prosperous province and to roll back the crime rate further.
Contact Crime:
In terms of contact crime, all categories saw a decrease in the Western Cape, except common robbery. Overall, contact crime decreased by 6.4% from 24,264 cases last year, to 22,702 cases this year.
There was also a decrease of 0.9% for murder last year (2020/21), with a further decrease of 0.2% this year. There were 1,013 murders in quarter 2 of 2020/21, while this year there have been 1,011. Last year, sexual offences decreased by 213 cases (-11.3%), with a further decrease of 196 cases this year (11.8%). While attempted murder increased by 91 cases (+9%) last year, this year saw a decrease of 169 attempted murder cases (-15.4%).
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Sexual Offences:
Sexual offences decreased by 196 cases this year, following a decrease of 213 cases last year. Rape accounted for 68.7% of all sexual offences, with a total of 1,009 rape cases out of 1,468 total sexual offences.
Last year saw a decrease of 120 rape in reported cases, with this year seeing a further decrease of 127 cases. Total sexual offences are down by 196 cases, following on from last year’s decrease of 213 cases.
Fritz went on to say that these figures point to a stabilisation in the Western Cape, especially if one considers the significant increases experienced nationally.
“Of course, there are factors that impact these findings, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the various responses to it, that need to be taken into account when undertaking a detailed analysis. But we are encouraged that things are now moving in the right direction. We must keep it that way,” Fritz said.
Meanwhile, JP Smith will once again head up the City of Cape Town’s safety and security directorate, after newly elected mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis entrusted him to continue in this position. Smith said in a Facebook post that, “It was a privilege to be selected as part of the Mayco team, a privilege that comes with the expectation of hard work and dedication. I am humbled and truly honoured that I have received this privilege to head up the safety and security directorate for another term.”
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