Limpopo second quarter crime rate rapidly increase
SEKHUKHUNE
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo says it is gravely concerned by the high number of sexual offences registered in Limpopo, which were revealed by the SAPS 2023/24 second quarter crime statistics.
The latest crime stats indicates that during the period from 1 July to 30 September 2024, 1091 sexual offences cases, including rape, sexual assault and contact sexual offences, were reported to police stations in the province and 1211 sexual offences were detected as a result of police action, showing a year-on-year increase of 225.
Marie Helm, DA Limpopo Provincial Spokesperson on Transport and Community Safety, said, alarmingly, the second quarter statistics reveal a 1211 increase in sexual offences reported at SAPS and detected by SAPS compared to the first quarter.
“These statistics translates to 25 victims of sexual offences in Limpopo daily, mostly women and children who face devastating and enduring effects of their ordeals,” she said.
Helm said it is unacceptable that Limpopo police stations are a recurring feature on the country’s top 30 rape and sexual offences list quarter after quarter.
“The sustained large numbers of sexual offences prove that the SAPS and Limpopo provincial government are still failing to keep residents safe in their communities. There is a need for a concerted effort and greater resources to address the high numbers of sexual offences, not just mere lips service. Kidnapping in Limpopo remains shockingly high. 151 people were kidnapped, an increase of 38.5% since the same period last year,” informed Helm.
She indicated that the province has seen an increase in stock theft incident that went up by 24 incidents to 603 from the previous quarter.
Helm said this is a serious concern as stock theft debilitates small scale farming and cause great damage to breeding stock of commercial farmers, which results in huge financial losses.
The statistics also shown that Limpopo recorded a 6.5% increase in burglary at residential premises and Mankweng ranks 1st nationwide, Seshego ranked 8th and Thohoyandou ranked 5th and 2nd for burglaries at non-residential premises.
“This highlights not only the lack of support and resources at these stations to improve their response, but also the lack of political backbone to address crimes that cause people to live in fear,” explained Helm.
She stated that the party is committed to ensuring that the provincial government and SAPS are held accountable in addressing the current unacceptable culture of sexual offences and heinous homes invasions in the province.
