Speaking at the capital city of SA in Pretoria, Mchunu revealed a 9.8% decrease in murder cases, a 3.3% drop in rape incidents, and a 3.2% fall in attempted sexual offenses between October and December 2024.
The Minister attributed these positive trends to the effective policing strategies introduced during the period, as well as the recruitment of 5,500 new officers to bolster law enforcement efforts. However, he also acknowledged the challenges that still need urgent attention.
“While we celebrate these reductions, we must also face the rise in cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property, which continue to disrupt communities,” Mchunu stated, pledging stronger responses from authorities.
One of the most pressing issues remains the ongoing gang violence, particularly in the Western Cape. Mchunu highlighted that 263 murders, largely linked to gangs, occurred in the province in the third quarter of the 2024-2025 financial year. Notably, 135 of these were concentrated in Mitchell’s Plain, Delft, and Elsies River, areas known for their gang activity. The Minister stressed the need for a revised policing approach in these regions.
Moreover, while crime against women showed an overall decrease, concerning trends were noted in crimes against children. A troubling increase in attempted murders of children aged 0 to 17 was reported. Additionally, incidents of rape rose in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Free State province, underscoring the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence.
Mchunu also pointed to organised crime, particularly drug trafficking, extortion, and kidnappings, which are increasingly being masterminded from within SA’s prisons. He cited recent high-profile kidnappings, including one in Nelson Mandela Bay, which was allegedly co-ordinated from St. Albans Prison, as a disturbing example of this emerging issue.
The Minister concluded that these trends required a coordinated and multi-faceted response from law enforcement and emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of crime to ensure long-term safety for South Africans.
--ChannelAfrica--
