For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, Gauteng’s quarterly crime figures finally show a drop in the murder rate.
However, some will say that this is hardly something to get excited about as there was only one less murder in Gauteng in the second quarter of the year in the province compared to last year’s second quarter.
A total of 1,489 victims – among them 167 women and 47 children – were murdered in Gauteng between April and June this year. A total of 1,490 victims were killed at this time last year in the province.
Lt. Gen. However, Elias Mawela, provincial police commissioner in Gauteng, says “every victory counts”.
Mawela released the quarterly crime statistics on Tuesday.
According to the figures, crime in Gauteng generally increased by 4% from 1 April to 30 June compared to the same period last year. The densely populated province also contributed more than a quarter (27.9%) to the national crime statistics for the first quarter of 2023/’24.
The latest statistics show that Gauteng was particularly affected by police killings in the second quarter. No less than 12 police officers were killed within three months. However, eight of the officers were not on duty at the time of the murders.
Meanwhile, contact crimes increased by 6%. A total of 42,752 of these violations were reported between the beginning of April and the end of June.
According to Mawela, assault and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm continue to be the biggest contributors to overall contact crime. These two offenses increased by 11.3% and 7.8% respectively in the second quarter.
This amounts to 20,088 incidents of assault and battery with intent to seriously injure within three months.
Aggravated robbery meanwhile increased by 1.5%. This is 203 more charges than at the same time last year. Mawela says this is due to the increase in robberies at homes (+13.7%) and business premises (+1.8%).
Sexual offenses decreased by 1% for the period under review.
Carjacking decreased by 12.1% and transit robberies by 38.9%. Seven fewer charges of transit robbery were filed this year compared to the same period last year.
Truck hijackings decreased by 4% – 12 fewer charges than last year.
