The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management is optimistic that its crime prevention programmes are yielding positive results. This after registering a decline in all categories of crime in the 2024/25 financial year. The Department’s MEC, Wessels Morweng released the fourth quarter crime stats alongside stakeholders in Potchefstroom on Thursday.
“The province has achieved a significant 7.6% reduction on 17 community reported crimes. This was in total 1 972 cases less, that were reported as compared to the same period in 2024. All crime categories recorded a decline, with contact crimes having a decrease of 7.7%. Owing to the general decrease in crime, incidents where women and children fell victims were also on a decline,” Morweng outlined.
Despite this, robbery and carjacking at residential areas remain a challenge in the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality.
“Carjackings increased by 1.2% while robberies at residential premises recorded an increase of 3.5%. Most affected Stations were Rustenburg, Mooinooi, Hebron, Boitekong, Hartebeespoortdam and Klipgat,” said Morweng.
In addition, Morweng highlighted that stock theft remains high especially in Taung, affecting the livelihood of farmers. Although the province saw a decrease of criminality in the financial year under review, Morweng guaranteed that they’ll not become complacent or relax their crime fighting programmes.
He cautioned that the decline does not mean the province is out of the woods and free from crime yet, adding that initiatives including Vala uMgodi Operation aimed to combat illegal mining will continue. The MEC also committed to deploy resources towards addressing GBV, Femicide and Kidnapping. He acknowledged the efforts by SAPS and other stakeholders aimed towards ensuring safe communities for all residents.
