2023/2024 Third Quarter Crime Statistics show escalation in murder cases
POLOKWANE – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, joined by the Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety Florence Radzilani and SAPS management released the third quarter crime statistics for the financial year 2023/2024 at the Landbank Building in Polokwane on Tuesday, 27 February.
General Hadebe indicated that the statistics were meant to show how Limpopo province contributed to the picture of crime in the country for the period 1 October to 31 December 2023, in comparison with data from the corresponding period for the previous financial year.
Hadebe reiterated that there is still a challenge in escalation of murder cases as opposed to the comparable period of statistics last financial year.
“What is more concerning is the mob justice related incidents which were reported,” said Hadebe. Reflecting on the impact of high density-density operation Vala Umgodi, she showed that the province also dealt with 88 cases of illegal mining and detained 220 suspects involved in illicit mining activities as well as immigration violations. “Among these suspects, there were a total number of 190 foreign nationals and 45 South Africans. Fourty-four illegal immigrants were deported,” informed Hadebe.
The provincial commissioner showed that operation Vala Umgodi’s effectiveness in dismantling illicit operations and preventing further environmental degradation is exemplified in confiscation of mining equipment such as TLBs, generators and jackhammers, whose value amounts to R20 962 564.
Operation Kukula and various operations conducted across the province resulted in 28 964 suspects arrested and detained. The arrests include 196 for murder, 83 for attempted murder, 193 for robbery, 273 for rape, 46 for sexual assault, 63 for robbery aggravating, seven for carjacking, 29 for house robbery, 91 for business robbery, 2272 for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) and 1560 for common assault.
Meanwhile, a total of 97 382g of drugs were confiscated, 969 electronic devices seized as well as explosives amounting to 8026 units that comprise 8009 fireworks and commercial explosives. Hundred and Twenty-three stolen or robbed motor vehicles were recovered.
Additionally, strategies were implemented to combat illicit cigarettes and drugs, resulting in the seizure of drugs worth R6 million and illicit cigarettes valued at R3500,00 during the period under review.
MEC Radzilani expressed her satisfaction with the manner in which police conducted investigations into murder cases and how they managed to quell and suppress possible community unrests throughout the province.
She also noted the decline is sexual offences and encouraged communities to take an active role in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.
