Crime stats: More than 7 700 people murdered within three months

Police Minister Bheki Cele has revealed thaT more than 7 700 people were murdered across South Africa in just three months, with KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape reported as the top hot spots.

Murders of women and children had seen a significant decrease between July and September, but the number of lives lost to gender-based violence remained high.

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This according to the quarterly crime statistics released by the police minister on Friday, the crime stats reflected on crimes that occurred during the third quarter of this financial year.

Gender-based violence related murders on the rise

“As we unpack the third quarter crime statistics, for the past two consecutive terms, we had noted a reduction in the number of murders reported. During this period, a total of 7 710 people were murdered. It is disturbing and concerning that the number of people murdered during this period, increased by 2.1% leading to 155 more people murdered as compared to the same period.

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The provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Free State must be singled out and commended for being able to register a reduction in the number of people murdered during this period.

While they may not be out of the woods yet, it is important to highlight that attention and more resources have been allocated to stations that have the highest number of murders reported. The majority of the top 30 stations where murder was most reported include, the Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng and Eastern Cape,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape remain hot spots for crime

Amongst the top five stations where murders were reported are in Inanda in KwaZulu-Natala, and Mfuleni, Gugulethu, Nyanga and Khayelitsha in the Western Cape.

From a sample size of 7 340 murders, it was established that arguments, misunderstandings, provocation, remains the top causal factor leading to 1 116 murders.

Gauteng recorded the highest number of contact crimes followed by the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

“Strengthening and revitalising community policing relations remains a top priority in the fight against crime. It is quite encouraging that 94 % of the CPF budget has been spent on resources such as vehicles to ensure maximum cooperation and interaction with the community,” Cele said.

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