Limpopo sees significant drop in crime

Limpopo

The Police in Limpopo said they have made significant strides in reducing crime in the province, with a notable 3.3% per capita of 100,000 population in murder cases, making it the safest province in South Africa.

This was revealed during the release of the first quarter crime statistics during the announcement that was made by the Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, who was joined by the MEC for Transport and Community Safety in the province, Violet Mathye in Polokwane recently.

Also in attendance were Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport and Community Safety, Kedibone Lebea, HOD for Transport and Community Safety, Steve Matjena, Chief Director of Transport and Regulations Jane Mulaudzi, SAPS top management and the leadership of Organised Labour Unions within Police Services.

Before her presentation, Hadebe commended the continued efforts of the men and women in blue in their endevours to fighting crime, as well as initiatives to educate the communities of the impact of engaging in mob justice.

According to Hadebe, the decrease in crime achievement is attributed to the tireless efforts of the members of the police in the province.

She highlighted the serious issue of vigilante justice that continues to plague society and undermines the rule of law and stressed that it will be addressed at every opportunity, including all other crime categories such as borderline, drug-related, gender-based violence etc.

Announcing key highlights of Limpopo’s crime statistics, Hadebe stated that the province has seen a 3.8% decrease in rape cases and a 6.0% decline in sexual offenses have been reported.

However, Hadebe said Limpopo has seen a 9.8% increase in crimes detected as a result of police interventions, with significant rises in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, drug-related offenses, and driving under the influence.

“A total of 6,883 undocumented foreign nationals arrested, 117 for murder, 83 for attempted murder, 158 for rape and 1,429 for drug-related offenses. There is confiscation of drugs valued at 2 billion rand from a clandestine drug lab in Groblersdal and interception of vehicles worth millions of rand enroute to be smuggled out of the country,” explained Hadebe.

She said in the first quarter, the police recovered 248 firearms and 1 736 rounds of ammunition while making arrests of 6 883 undocumented foreign nationals in the process.

“Six-hundred and four people were arrested for malicious damage to property, 21 were nabbed for stock theft and 91 arrested for fraud and 514 for other theft’s,” she said.

Transport and Community Safety MEC, Violet Mathye, commended the provincial commissioner and her team for their efforts in creating safer communities.

“The government has taken a “no-nonsense’ approach towards crime, with interventions aimed at reducing cross-border crime and corruption,” she said.

Chairperson of the Community Policing CPF, Frans Kgasago, the Chairperson of the Youth, Kabelo Machethe and the members of the media were among dignitaries attending the event.