The North West province has recorded a 4.8% increase in reported crimes on the back of an overall increase of contact crime in South Africa by 6 299 cases during the fourth quarter compared to the same period last year.
The stats released by Police Minister Bheki Cele also show that the number of people murdered in South Africa increased by 206 and stood at 6 299 in the reporting period.
The North West Department of Community Safety and the Police released the fourth quarter provincial crime stats recorded between January and March 2023, with the Bojanala District leading with 41.6 % in all districts.
According to the statistics, Rustenburg takes the 7th position nationally, and the 1st in the province in terms of reporting the highest crime incidents.
The acting North West Head of the Department of Community Safety, Mpho Maleme, said between January and March 2023 all forms of reported crimes stood at 24 1341 across the province.
“Rustenburg in the Bojanala District has recorded the highest number of reported crime incidents in the Province and overall number seven in the country. There had been a 4.8% increase in crimes reported compared to the same period last year.
“Between January and March 2023, cumulatively, all forms of crime reported stood at 24 134 for the Fourth (4th) Quarter, there had been two cash-in-transit heists, 258 robberies at residential premises, and 150 car hijackings. A total of 1 733 cases related to domestic violence were recorded from January to March 2023,” Maleme said.
Mmabatho Police Station recorded the highest number of sexual-related crimes in the province, she said.
“For the same period, 1 339 cases were crimes against women and children. Mmabatho Police Station recorded the highest number of sexual-related crimes and disturbingly, there had also been an increase in incidents of child neglect and ill-treatment.
“One of the factors that had an influence in an increase in recorded crime levels is the abuse of alcohol and drugs. A considerable number of cases resulted from the abuse of alcohol by both the victims and perpetrators. Occurrence of these incidents was much more so at the alcohol-selling premises like taverns,” she said.
Maleme said they intend to intensify joint law enforcement operations to fight crime.
“In terms of Districts most crime incidents were in Bojanala Platinum, with a total contribution of 41, 6%, followed by Dr Kenneth Kaunda with 25.5%, Ngaka Modiri Molema with 22.2%, and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati with 10.6%.
“In mitigating all kinds of criminal activities, the Department working with SAPS, came up with programs carried out either jointly or independently. There have been joint law enforcement operations that include stop and searches, roadblocks, or walkabouts at public transport ranks. These operations will be further intensified for this Quarter,” Maleme said.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Sello Kwena, said a group of new police officers will be deployed to areas that have recorded an increase in criminal activity.
“Rustenburg is the economic hub of the province and is closer to other provinces like Gauteng and Limpopo. In most cases, a lot of people come to Rustenburg looking for employment, and in the process, there are a lot of criminal activities.
“There is a group of police officials, who are about to be released, who are not from the college. There is a group that will come from the college tomorrow, but others will come from the in-service training that was conducted. They are now going to be fully employed and distributed in areas like Rustenburg, which is problematic to us,” said Kwena.
