| 2024/12/06 |
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Media Statement KIMBERLEY – The MEC for COGHSTA and Transport, Safety and Liaison and, Mr Bentley Vass and the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Koliswa Otola released the second quarter crime statistics for the 2024/2025 financial year at the office of the Premier in Kimberley on 06 December 2024. Lieutenant General Otola was accompanied by her Deputy Provincial Commissioners, the District Commissioners of Frances Baard, Pixley ka Seme and Namakwa Districts, Provincial Heads and Senior Station Commanders. The proceedings commenced with a brief overview of the crime situation by Lieutenant General Otola, followed with a presentation by the Provincial Head for Crime Registrar, Brigadier Samuel Mathe of the crime statistics for the period July to September 2024. In her opening remarks, Lieutenant General Otola indicated that the crime statistics contains all crimes reported in the Northern Cape, against those who live within the province and those who visited our province and ended up being victims of crime. The crime statistics indicates that 14 of the 17 community reported serious crimes displayed a decrease of -9,5%. More joint efforts are needed to deal with the crime holistically including the community. Communities are urged to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. All Districts reflected decreases for the second quarter of this financial year. Frances Baard district being the highest reporting district with regards to the reported 17 community crimes reflected a decrease of -12.8%, John Taolo Gaetsewe district a decrease of -7.6%, Namakwa district a decrease of -9.2%, Pixley ka Seme with a decrease of -6.5% and ZF Mgcawu district followed with a decrease of -6.3%. During the period, contact crimes decreased by -5.5%. The majority of causative factors that lead to murder, attempted murder and assault GBH are arguments, misunderstandings and provocation. The prevalent instrument used during murders and attempted murder, remains knives. Murder decreased by – 24 cases. In her presentation, General Otola reflected on the exceptional and remarkable sentences secured by detectives especially focusing on life sentences. She commended the effective collaboration between law enforcement and the courts who secured hefty sentences for serious crimes. Rape reflected a decrease of -11.3% with Frances Baard district the highest recording district, followed by JTG, ZF Mgcawu, Pixley Ka-Seme and then Namakwa district. There was a concern raised by the Provincial Commissioner when she communicated on incidents occurring at school premises, where learners are the victims and in some instances also perpetrators. The prevention of damage to and tampering with essential infrastructure remains a concern and teams have been established within the districts to deal decisively with these crimes which are resulting in positive successes. The multi-disciplinary illicit mining operation “Vala Umgodi” by SAPS, SANDF and DHA are intentional in squeezing the operational space of criminals in the Frances Baard and Namakwa Districts resulting in the apprehension of undocumented persons and confiscating of tools and equipment used in the commission of illicit mining activities. Operation Shanela continues to intensify high density operations in hotspot areas across the province with focus on the reduction contact crimes, trio crimes and the tracing of wanted suspects. These actions support interventions to address crimes reliant on police actions. The multi-disciplinary initiative, Operation Phakisa focusing on environmental crimes such as harvesting and poaching activities, including infrastructure which results in substantial economic, employment losses and impact on food security is executed on a quarterly basis in the Namakwa district along the West Coast and also produced an array of successes. Quarterly Inter-Provincial Cross Border Operations effectively address crimes transgressing across our national and provincial borders. In his remarks, MEC Vass stated that all efforts need collaboration of all stakeholders, because fighting crime is not only a police function, but it must be a societal issue. “Our communities must be the ears and eyes of the police, because together we can take our streets back from criminals, who terrorise our communities. The police service must lead and take charge and must demonstrate the might and authority of the state, this festive season”, said MEC Vass. There are numerous success stories and substantial convictions that is a clear indication that the men and women in blue are indeed making inroads in the war against crime. In her closing remarks, Lieutenant General Otola vowed that areas of concern, namely assault GBH, robberies, trio crimes, commercial crimes, drug related crimes, kidnapping, attempted murder, kidnapping and driving under the influence of alcohol will be rigorously addressed . Crimes committed against women and children will not be tolerated and especially incidents of domestic violence. Ends
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