Cele, Masemola to visit Pietermaritzburg following mass murder. Photo: SAPS.
Bloody September: More than 80 people were killed in seven days in the Western Cape
Cele said Sergeant Sthembiso Mnatwana, who was killed outside his home a week ago, was one of 83 people murdered in a seven day period.
Cele, Masemola to visit Pietermaritzburg following mass murder. Photo: SAPS.
The Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, revealed that more than 80 people were killed in the Western Cape between 5 and 11 September at a media briefing on crime matters in the province on Thursday, 15 September.
83 PEOPLE KILLED IN SEVEN DAYS
Cele highlighted the murder of Sergeant Sthembiso Mnatwana, a policeman attached to the Cape Town Central station, who was gunned down outside his home during National Police Safety Month. The incident occurred in Samora Machel after Mnatwana finished a shift on Thursday, 8 September.
“The victim was not armed with his service pistol at the time of the incident and it is still unclear whether he was killed for access to a firearm,” said Colonel Andre Traut, at the time.
MORE ON THIS: Cape Town cop killed outside his home after finishing 12-hour shift
“The Sergeant is one of 83 people killed in the Western Cape since the 5th of September to the 11th of the same month. This is a total of 83 people killed in the Western Cape province, in seven days,” said the Minister of Police.
EXTREME VIOLENCE AND BRUTALITY STALKS THE CAPE, SAYS CELE
Cele said the Western Cape recorded the lowest murder percentage increase (0.2%) compared to other provinces in the latest crime statistics. However, “extreme violence and brutality stalks” the province, he added.
The Nyanga police station is ranked first in the Top 30 stations for contact crimes in the country. These crimes include murder, attempted murder, sexual offences and all cases of assault and robbery.
Cele said it was clear that there are glimmers of hope in the province as well as “pockets of concern” that need and are receiving an immediate intervention.
Most of the murders occurred in the Cape Town Metropole and Cape Flats and were the result of arguments, robberies and gang violence.
Firearms are the weapon of choice in most reported murders in the country. It is three times more likely to be used than any other weapon.
According to the latest national crime statistics, the Western Cape is the third-highest in South Africa for gun-related murder.
The provincial law enforcement authorities removed 33 firearms and 538 rounds of ammunition from the streets of the Cape Flats in a week, said Cele, including three homemade guns, 29 revolvers or pistols and one rifle.
“We are clear that removing these guns from communities Commissioner goes a long way in saving lives,” he said.
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