The country’s policing union has commended law enforcement authorities in the country and police leadership, for their efforts to address the alarming crime rate in the country.
South African Policing Union (SAPU), and Independent Policing Union of South Africa (IPUSA) respectively, were reacting to the third-quarter statistics for 2024/25 that were released by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on Friday in Pretoria.
According to the statistics, the murder rate has declined by 9.8% in the period under review.
SAPU’s spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale said that this is commendable given the toxic and dangerous conditions that the police officers work under daily.
“We are not saying we are where we would like to be as the country, but this is applaudable.
This brings hope and confidence that crime will be dealt with,” said Thobakgale.
IPUSA’s General Secretary Mpho Kwinika echoed Thobakgale sentiments.
“We commend the dedication of officers to uphold law and order and encourage progress in crime reduction in our country,” remarked Kwinika.
Mchunu acknowledged that while the number is high, it represents a decrease compared to the same quarter of the previous financial year.
“The statistics we present today show a significant shift in our national crime landscape.
Encouragingly, we have observed an overall decrease in several categories of crime,” said the Minister.
He highlighted that the decline in the murder cases, translates to 6 953 murders between October and December 2024 compared to 7 710 murders in the same period in 2023.
There was also 3.3% reduction in rape cases which translates to 11 803 rape cases between October and December 2024 compared to 12 211 rape cases in the same period in 2023.
“Of the 6 953 murders recorded, 1 453 happened due to arguments, 405 were robbery-related killings, 389 were vigilante attacks, 294 were gang-related murders, and 57 were taxi-related murders,” said Mchunu.
In addition, more than half of the murders occurred in public places, firearms and knives were the most used weapons.
Of the murder victims, 961 were women, and 273 were children.
Mchunu ascribed the reductions to the strategies and interventions implemented by the police.
“Our Safer Festive Season initiative, launched in October 2024, has played a significant role in the recorded crime reductions.
Through heightened police visibility and strategic operations, fewer crimes were reported and recorded during this period,” said Mchunu.
Furthermore, the statistics also revealed that 128 rape cases were recorded daily in the third quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year.
Meanwhile, the unions have called on the police ministry to ensure that tools of trade are provided to law enforcement officers to assist them in doing their jobs diligently and efficiently.
